Real Madrid 2 – 1 Real Betis: Three Takeaways from the Match

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

La Liga Refs Are Bad, But They’re Not Biased.

Let’s be honest, there’s no reason Keylor Navas should have remained on the pitch after what should have been a clear red card. Betis’ Piccini was rightfully sent off, but Madrid was lucky to have had 11 men the full time anyway.

The one good thing that you can say about the La Liga refs, is that they’re at least consistent in their badness. At least two crucial plays for Madrid were wrongly called offside, including Modrić’s sensuous pass over the field to Ronaldo who chipped it in, but was cruelly waved off.

The refs in La Liga certainly do make some terrible calls, but it’s hard to suggest that they’re biased; their horrible calls seem to affect everyone equally.