Real Madrid Voices Outrage Over Overturned Red Card Decision

San Sebastián, Spain — Real Madrid officials expressed outrage Wednesday after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) overturned a red card given to Real Betis winger Antony Santos, allowing him to play in the upcoming Copa del Rey match against Los Blancos.

The Disciplinary Committee’s decision to rescind Antony’s red card, issued by referee Alberola Rojas during Betis’ match against Getafe last Sunday, has ignited controversy. Antony was originally penalized for a reckless challenge deemed to involve excessive force. Rojas documented in the match report that Antony tackled an opponent without the possibility of contesting the ball, a claim Madrid asserts is accurate.

“This is unbelievable. They’re disregarding legal precedents in their eagerness to go after Madrid,” a member of the Madrid delegation stated, voicing frustration with the decision during a conversation with AS. “They’ve declared war and will use any means necessary to harm us.”

Despite the ruling, the RFEF justified its decision by suggesting that Antony was making an effort to intercept the ball rather than intentionally fouling Getafe’s Juan Iglesias. They stated, “After reviewing the footage, it is clear that player D. Antony Matheus dos Santos never takes his eyes off the ball controlled by the opposing player.”

The decision has astonished many within both clubs. Betis officials felt hopeful about their appeal but did not expect success. The news that Antony would be available to play against Madrid comes as a significant boost, as he has already scored three goals and provided two assists in four LaLiga matches since joining on loan from Manchester United earlier this year.

Frustration at Madrid has heightened, with claims of a broader campaign against the club. “In just 24 hours, we’ve witnessed what can only be described as a campaign against everything related to Real Madrid,” club sources stated. “They are attacking us by land, sea, and air.”

The context of this decision adds to growing concerns among Madrid officials regarding scheduling, potential bias from league authorities, and disrespect toward their coach from other officials. The Madrid delegation remains steadfast in their commitment to fight any perceived injustices. “We will not bow to this nonsense,” they asserted.

As Antony prepares to return for the match, many are keen to see how he influences the game against Madrid, who are currently second in La Liga, closely trailing FC Barcelona. Notably, Real Madrid will be without midfielder Jude Bellingham, serving a two-match ban.

Referee analysts, including Iturralde González of SER Deportivos, have criticized the RFEF’s decision. “The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) considers this a clear red card,” he remarked, highlighting the ongoing debate regarding officiating standards in La Liga.

The upcoming match at Estadio Benito Villamarín is highly anticipated, with both clubs strategizing for what promises to be an intense encounter. Betis hopes to leverage the presence of Antony, while Madrid aims to assert their dominance amidst claims of referee bias.

Kickoff is scheduled for 17:30 GMT, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome and eager for their teams’ success.