Spanish referees concerned over Real Madrid pressure ahead of El Clasico; Barcelona need to be alert

Barcelona are approaching the first El Clasico of the season, with tensions between Real Madrid and Spain’s refereeing establishment becoming an increasingly prominent issue.

According to Cadena SER , concerns have emerged within refereeing circles over the atmosphere surrounding Real Madrid’s matches, with fears that criticism from the club and its entourage could intensify in the two weeks leading up to the meeting.

The latest controversy follows Vinicius Jr.’s red card against Villarreal, a decision that has fuelled further debate over refereeing standards. SER reports that officials are concerned about the reaction to the dismissal and what they see as an increasingly hostile environment around match officials.