Eder Sarabia, Elche’s coach, attacked the referee of his team’s match against Real Madrid on Sunday, accusing him of making several incorrect decisions that resulted in the 2-2 draw.
Elche twice took the lead against Real Madrid, most recently in the 82nd minute, before Jude Bellingham equalized in the 87th minute.
In the play leading up to the England international’s goal, there was a clear contact between Vinicius Junior and goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, which resulted in the Barcelona loanee bleeding from his nose. Despite this, the referee allowed the goal.
Speaking angrily after the match, Sarabia said, “It was a clear foul by Vinicius on Iñaki Peña, and it led to the 2-2 equalizer.”
He added, “I am not happy with the result at all, especially considering the crucial moments of the match. Vinicius’s foul caused the equalizer; it was perfectly clear.”
“It wasn’t just an accident, it was a clear mistake,” he added. “Adding time in these situations bothers me, but when you’re ahead twice and you feel that factors influenced the final result, it makes you angry.”
Elche’s draw with Real Madrid moved them to 16 points, placing them 11th in the standings, while Real Madrid leads Barcelona by one point.
