Refree who awarded Real Madrid a penalty was 'not in right frame of mind' - Spanish ref chief

Elche’s players argue with the referee after he awarded a controversial penalty to Real Madrid

Spain’s referee head has stated that the official who gifted Real Madrid a penalty in their 2-1 victory over Elche was possibly not in the “right frame of mind”. BBC Sport reports.

The referee, Cesar Muniz Fernandez, awarded Real Madrid a penalty which Ronaldo converted after Fernandez thought that Elche player Carlos Sanchez came down too hard on Madrid defender Pepe.

“I don’t think he got it right,” said Victoriano Sanchez Arminio. “Maybe he had some family issue that meant he wasn’t in the right frame of mind.”

The referees’ chief added: “But there you go, sometimes we get it right and sometimes not, that’s football.

“When someone is not on form on the pitch it’s one thing after the other.”

TV grabs point out that Pepe held onto the arm of Carlos Sanchez as they both took a tumble in the penalty area.

Elche defender Edu Albacar stated that his team, who had been lifted to the La Liga last season, had a point taken away from them.

“The match has been stolen from us,” said the defender. “Anyone who watched the game can decide why Madrid won, it’s very clear.”

Elche ‘s Carlos Sanchez was held back by his team-mates from confronting the errant referee after the game.

Real Madrid boss CarloAncelotti was displeased by the way his side played.

“We suffered a lot, especially at the end. The team did not control the match after Ronaldo’s goal,” the former PSG manager said.

“The important thing is the result but it’s not enough, we have to play better.

“Playing like that we will not win the derby – above all we have to play with more intensity and personality.”