Barcelona defender Gerard Pique claims to have heard from a former referee that 85% of match officials in Spain have an affinity for Real Madrid and has suggested it would be impossible for them not to favor Los Blancos during the matches, even unconsciously.
Pique, who has won La Liga eight times with Barcelona in the past 12 years, believed that if there was ever a 50/50 decision or a referee was unsure of something, that significant majority would be likely. to give Real the benefit of all doubts. .
“A former referee, can’t remember who he was, said 85% of referees are fans of [Real] Madrid, ”Pique said in an interview on the Post United YouTube channel.
“It’s a statistic that you look at [and think], how not to whistle in favor of Madrid? Unconsciously, but how are they not going to give more to one side than the other?
“I totally respect the professionalism of the referees. I know they try to do the best job they can, but when there is a moment of doubt…? “
After a miserable start to the season, which on several occasions saw them fall into the bottom half of the table, Barcelona have regained their form in the past six weeks.
Pique himself is injured but has seen his teammates collect 26 out of a possible 30 points since losing out to Cadiz almost two months ago.
Five straight wins have put Barca in second place in La Liga, ahead of Real, although Atletico Madrid have left both clubs in their wake this season and opened up a 10-point lead.
This puts Diego Simeone’s side on track to win their first title since 2013/14 and it would only be the second time since 2004 that anyone other than Barca or Real have won the trophy.
For more than Jamie Spencer, follow it on Twitter and Facebook!
