Atletico Madrid stars react to Real Madrid referee complaints – ‘It is nonsense’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid have come under intense scrutiny in recent days after they sent an open letter to the RFEF complaining against refereeing in La Liga after their 1-0 loss to RCD Espanyol.

A number of La Liga clubs have turned against Los Blancos, along with the league association as well as the RFEF, with it being reported that actions are being considered against the reigning Spanish champions.

This comes ahead of a crucial period for Real Madrid as they take on Atletico Madrid this weekend before facing Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.

Antoine Griezmann reacts to referee complaints

Ahead of the derby at the weekend, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has reacted to the complaints against referees made by Real Madrid, terming it ‘nonsense’ and asking the match officials to be left alone.

“We must stop with this nonsense, because for me it is nonsense. In the end, it is you, the journalists, who will make it a bigger issue or not,” said Griezmann on Movistar when asked about the recent statement from Real Madrid.

“Ultimately, if you do not say anything, if the clubs issue a statement and no one talks about it, there will not be so much tension for the referees.”

Griezmann followed this up with some empathy towards the referees in general, as he said:

“Now, the referee is probably going to the stadium with fear of making a mistake because they know that everyone is watching them, and that is not good for the referee.

“We must leave them alone, they already have enough dealing with us on the field, without having to bear the nonsense off the field as well. I believe it is everyone’s fault – clubs, presidents, journalists – they all need to leave the referees alone, they already have enough with us on the field.”

Real Madrid take on Atletico this weekend. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Jan Oblak and other Atletico stars react

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has urged Real Madrid to “leave the referees alone” ahead of Saturday’s derby.

“The best way is to leave referees in peace and that way they can do their job at their best possible level,” Oblak told ESPN.

“That is the most important thing for football, not just for the teams, for everyone. It’s not the referees who will decide the game.”

Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez also supported Oblak’s statement, saying: “As players, we focus on our jobs. I hope that what has happened doesn’t go beyond a statement and that no one feels affected or pressured.

“That we have a clean game, that there are no issues in the post-game and that the grey episodes are interpreted in the best possible way.”

Experienced Atletico Madrid star Cesar Azpilicueta, on the other hand, dismissed Real Madrid’s concerns about the refereeing, as he said:

“When you step on the pitch you believe that everybody does their best that we can to get our job done.”