Real Madrid vs Levante Protests on and off the field
Pablo Garca
There were a handful of controversial arbitration appeals during Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Levante the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium but nothing more than the penalty awarded to the visitors in the second half.
Referee David Medie Jimenez initially gave a free kick for Vinicius Juniorthe challenge on Carlos Clerc on the edge of the penalty area.
However, after consulting with VAR in the ear, the official showed the place, to the surprise of the host team.
Some of the Real Madrid players in the stands got out of their seats and called the referee to watch the incident on the field monitor.
“Look at him, he’s out [the box], is out! “came the shouts from the stands.
Alert to their teammates on the field, like Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos approached Jimenez to protest the decision.
The referee did not have to go to the monitor to analyze the incident and continued with the awarding of the penalty.
– What a joke, what a joke! shouted the players from the stands.
Roger Marti executed the penalty, but saw the effort saved by Thibaut Courtois to keep the score level.