Real Madrid favoured as 90% referees are their fans: Ex-LaLiga referee's sensational claim

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid inched closer to ir first LaLiga triumph since 2016-17 season after ir narrow victory against Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday. Sergio Ramos scored only goal of match from spot, raising questions if Los Blancos are favoured by officials. debate has been reignited after a former LaLiga referee has claimed that 90 per cent of officials are Real Madrid fans. 

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90 per cent referees support Real Madrid: Former LaLiga referee 

Former LaLiga referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez spoke to Cadena Ser sometime back, when he made bold claims about Real Madrid. Gonzalez claimed that 90 percent of referees who officiate in LaLiga are ardent followers of Real Madrid. Gonzalez enjoys a repute among LaLiga referees, having overseen 291 matches in league. He is also a self-confessed Athletic Bilbao fan. Gonzalez opined that remaining 10 per cent of LaLiga officials support Barcelona. 

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Sergio Ramos scores penalty vs Bilbao

former LaLiga referee's claims come at a time when Real Madrid are being blamed to have received favours from referees during ir recent games. Los Blancos are on a seven-match winning streak since return of competition mid-June, including ir win against Athletic Club Bilbao. Despite an entertaining first half, two sides failed to break deadlock.

However, it was Sergio Ramos again for Zinedine Zidane as he stepped up to take spot-kick after a foul on Marcelo inside penalty box in second half. Real Madrid captain is second-highest goalscorer for Zidane this season, having scored 10 goals, while Karim Benzema leads charts with 17 goals.

AS accepts that Video Assistant Referee's (VAR) decision to award Real Madrid a penalty was correct. However, Spanish media publication also asserts that Bilbao were denied a similar penalty minutes later when Raul Garcia was brought down in penalty box after a clash with Ramos.  replays suggested that defender had stepped on striker's foot. 

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Real Madrid lead on LaLiga table 

Real Madrid lead LaLiga table with 77 points to ir credit, with second-placed Barcelona bagging 73 points after ir victory against Villareal. Zidane's side have four games yet to be played in competition. y will next host Alaves on Friday (Saturday according to IST) at Alfredo di Stefa. 

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Im courtesy: realmadrid.com