Koundé Escapes Red Card After Clear Incident with Simeone
Controversy as Barcelona Defender Avoids Expulsion in Clash Against Atlético Madrid
The match between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona at the Metropolitano, which kicked off at 9 PM, has been a gripping contest so far. At halftime, Atlético leads thanks to a goal from Julián Álvarez. However, the usual pattern seems to be unfolding—once again, refereeing decisions appear to favor Barcelona.
Jules Koundé should have been sent off in the first half after a clear act of aggression against Giuliano Simeone. Despite the seriousness of the incident, the VAR, overseen by Javier Iglesias Villanueva, did not even review the play. This decision gifted Barcelona a major advantage, as they avoided playing with ten men for over an hour in a must-win game to stay level on points with Real Madrid.
Adding to the controversy, Koundé had already received a yellow card earlier in the match after fouling Reinildo. The referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea, had no hesitation in booking him for that challenge.
Double Standards in Officiating
A similar incident saw Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior receive a red card on January 2 during a match against Valencia (1-2). The Brazilian made slight contact with Stole Dimitrievski’s neck after being provoked and pushed from behind. Yet, unlike Koundé, Vinicius was immediately sent off.
This inconsistency in refereeing decisions has not only fueled accusations of bias against Real Madrid but has also led several teams to voice complaints in recent weeks. Many clubs feel they have suffered from questionable officiating decisions, with referees often failing to meet expected standards despite their high salaries.
A Hard-Fought Battle
Despite Barcelona’s strong start, Atlético Madrid has managed to counterattack effectively, making for an evenly contested match with chances for both sides.
This fixture is crucial in the race for La Liga, especially for Atlético, who are looking to bounce back after their painful Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid in a penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, Barcelona had not played in La Liga for two weeks due to the postponement of their match against Osasuna following the sudden passing of club doctor Carles Miñarro. However, the Catalans come into this game with confidence after securing a 3-1 victory over Benfica on Tuesday, sealing their place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
