Sevilla Furious Over Refereeing Decision Involving Arda Güler
Real Madrid's victory over Sevilla was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving Arda Güler and Peque. Sevilla players criticized the referee and VAR for failing to review an incident they believed deserved a red card.
Real Madrid secured an important 4-1 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu, but the result was not the only talking point. An incident involving Arda Güler during the first half sparked frustration among the visiting players, who left the stadium convinced that the refereeing decisions may have influenced the outcome.
The controversy began around the 22nd minute, when the Turkish midfielder made contact with Peque away from the ball. The Sevilla player went to the ground, prompting his teammates to appeal for a possible act of violent conduct.
However, referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer did not show a red card, and VAR did not recommend an on-field review.
The television footage did not clearly establish the exact point of contact or its intensity, making it difficult to determine whether the incident warranted a dismissal.
Former referee Eduardo Iturralde González, speaking during his analysis on Cadena SER, explained that the location of the contact was crucial in determining the appropriate punishment. A blow to the face could justify a red card, while less forceful contact elsewhere could lead to a different interpretation.
Juan Iglesias and Kike Salas Criticize the Refereeing Decisions
Sevilla's frustration did not disappear after the final whistle.
Speaking to Movistar Plus, Juan Iglesias expressed his dissatisfaction, arguing that his team had competed well but that certain refereeing decisions had affected the match.
"We were in the game, we tried. It was a match decided by decisions that were made. I think there was an act of aggression against Peque in the first half. I saw Güler's incident with Peque, and it looked like an act of aggression to me. I watched it at halftime."
The defender also questioned a foul in the buildup to one of Real Madrid's goals. Although he acknowledged that his team needed to examine its own mistakes, he insisted that several decisions had gone against Sevilla.
"We knew what we were walking into. We also have to be self-critical, but there were decisions that didn't go our way," he said.
Iglesias also described the difficulties players faced when trying to approach the referee and ask for explanations.
"Many times, you can't speak to referees because they won't allow it. They told us to walk away or we'd be booked, so in the end, what's the point of going over there just to get a yellow card? We knew what we were walking into and how everything was going to be," he added.
Kike Salas also addressed the incident, supporting Peque's account and questioning why the referee had not been called to the monitor.
"We had the game under control, but that incident came from an elbow that looked like a clear red card. There's nothing we can do about that. Peque says he was elbowed, and he's not the kind of player who would throw himself to the ground and call for medical attention. I trust my teammate. I'll watch it again, but the referee wasn't even asked to review it. Two moments made the difference for them," he explained.
Their comments reflected the frustration of a team that believed the officiating had fallen short during one of the match's most controversial moments.
Arda Güler Goes From Controversy to Scoring a Stunning Goal
The story took an even more frustrating turn for Sevilla.
Just minutes after the incident involving Peque, Arda Güler opened the scoring for Real Madrid with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area in the 30th minute.
The goal changed the course of the match and allowed José Mourinho's side to take control of the scoreboard.
Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead in the 37th minute before converting a penalty in the second half. Manu Bueno pulled one back for the visitors, but Yan Diomande eventually sealed the emphatic victory for the home side.
The result allowed Real Madrid to collect three important points as they continued chasing Barcelona, the LaLiga leaders, with just one week remaining before El Clásico.
For Sevilla, however, there was a lingering feeling that the match might have unfolded differently had Güler received a different punishment.
Refereeing Controversy Follows Real Madrid Ahead of El Clásico
Mourinho's team face a demanding week. They will first host RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 21, before visiting Barcelona on Sunday, October 25.
Arda Güler remains available for those fixtures after completing the match against Sevilla without receiving a red card for the disputed incident.
While Real Madrid celebrate a victory that boosts their confidence ahead of facing their biggest rivals, Sevilla leave the Bernabéu with a defeat and a controversy that is likely to remain a major talking point.
The debate goes beyond whether the incident deserved a dismissal. It also raises questions about the limitations of the available footage and the criteria used to recommend an on-field review.
Three Key Takeaways
- Sevilla players demanded a possible red card for Arda Güler following an incident involving Peque during the first half.
- Juan Iglesias and Kike Salas criticized the refereeing decisions and questioned why VAR did not recommend a review.
- Arda Güler scored Real Madrid's opening goal in their 4-1 victory, just one week before El Clásico against Barcelona.
