Arbeloa Blasts VAR and Referees After Girona Draw Amid Madrid–RFEF Rift

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Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa criticised Spanish refereeing after a 1-1 draw with Girona at the Bernabéu. He called the decision to ignore a clear handball on Mbappé a sign of “systemic bias” against his club. Arbeloa insisted the VAR system only intervenes when “convenient” and lamented repeated controversial calls this season. He highlighted an earlier foul on Mbappé that, in his view, was less serious than the denied penalty appeal. The fallout escalated when Real Madrid severed diplomatic ties with the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The club’s media channels labelled the league “rigged” and cited ongoing concerns over refereeing and the Negreira affair.

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