Terrible news for José Luis Munuera Montero, the referee of the Osasuna – Real Madrid match
Published 18 hours ago on February 17, 2025
By ENOCH
The mood in Spain has been charged with controversy following the highly debated Osasuna – Real Madrid match this past Saturday. At the center of this scandal is referee José Luis Munuera Montero, who is at the center of a storm due to his decisions during the game. His performance, which raised doubts about his fairness, has led to an outpouring of anger from Real Madrid fans and football supporters across Spain.
As the game’s aftermath continues, Munuera Montero’s actions remain a major talking point. His performance during the match has raised concerns not only among Madrid fans but also among neutral viewers. Real Madrid, who had traveled to Osasuna hoping to strengthen their title challenge, were frustrated by the referee’s decisions—or lack of them—during key moments. One of the most notable was his failure to award what appeared to be obvious penalties in the first half. These early choices set the stage for a match that would be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
However, the most contentious moment came later in the game when Jude Bellingham, one of Real Madrid’s standout players, was given a red card. The decision to show the red card shocked many, as it was believed that Bellingham’s alleged offense—an insult—was either a misunderstanding or, at worst, a minor comment. In the heat of the moment, the referee appeared to misread the situation, leading to a decision that only intensified Madrid fans’ anger.
By the time the match concluded, the score was 1-1, a result that was seen as a major disappointment for Real Madrid, especially considering the circumstances of Munuera Montero’s officiating. The frustration among the Madrid supporters was evident, with many pointing to the referee’s choices as key factors in the outcome of the game. This led to a wave of criticism not only from fans but also from analysts and former players, many of whom voiced their disapproval of the referee’s handling of the match.
Things took a darker turn soon after the game when Munuera Montero became the target of a massive wave of abuse. The referee, who has now become the most criticized official in La Liga, saw his personal safety jeopardized as he received hateful messages. According to reports from Cope, the abuse became so severe that Munuera Montero had to take serious steps. His Instagram account was flooded with threatening messages, and he eventually hadto limit access to avoid further harassment.
The threats directed at Munuera Montero were not only verbal but also deeply disturbing. One message read, “Your family will be…” followed by disturbing emojis representing violence. It’s clear that some Madrid supporters, feeling wronged by the match’s outcome, have crossed a dangerous line. Other messages included direct threats to his life and that of his family, with some even suggesting physical harm should they meet the referee on the street. This kind of conduct, no matter how provoked, is utterly unacceptable.
While the actions of certain fans are certainly disgraceful, they highlight the extreme frustration that exists within the Real Madrid fanbase. The past few weeks have been tough for the club, with several questionable decisions during matches going against them. In addition to the controversial Osasuna match, Real Madrid had been on the receiving end of a series of decisions that left many doubting the fairness of the officiating. The draw against Osasuna was just the latest in a series of poor officiating, and the frustration among Madrid supporters has reached a breaking point.
In light of these events, Real Madrid has made it clear that they will not stay silent. The club’s leadership, including José Ángel Sánchez, a close associate of president Florentino Pérez, has already taken steps to address the situation. On Monday, Sánchez was seen at the Spanish Football Federation, where he filed an official complaint regarding the red card shown to Bellingham. The club is also seeking answers from the referees’ technical committee, hoping to push for changes in the way matches are officiated in Spain.
This is not the first time Real Madrid has found itself in conflict with La Liga’s refereeing standards. In recent weeks, there has been a growing sense of injustice among Madrid fans, especially after the controversial Madrid derby, where several questionable decisions raised suspicions that the referees were intentionally underperforming. The club’s recent complaint is part of a larger effort to reform Spanish football, where Real Madrid feels that match integrity is being undermined by poor officiating.
For José Luis Munuera Montero, the fallout from the Osasuna match has been severe. The threats and abuse he has received reflect the passion and intensity of Spanish football, but they also highlight the responsibility referees carry to remain impartial and handle the pressure of such high-stakes games with professionalism. While his performance during the match may have played a significant role in the outcome, the subsequent threats against him should not be part of the discussion.
As Real Madrid seeks justice, the focus will now shift to whether La Liga or the Spanish Football Federation will take any action. Will there be consequences for the referee? Will Real Madrid’s complaint lead to meaningful changes in officiating practices? Or will this incident fade into the background of a tumultuous season for the club?
One thing is certain: the tension between Real Madrid and La Liga’s refereeing community is at an all-time high. The club’s management has made it clear that they will not rest until the refereeing issue is addressed. Whether or not these efforts will bear fruit remains to be seen, but it is clear that José Luis Munuera Montero’s controversial performance will not soon be forgotten.
The real question now is whether this controversy will drive further wedges between clubs and referees, or if it will spur a much-needed review of officiating standards in Spain. Football fans around the world are watching closely, eager to see what happens next in this unfolding story.
In the meantime, Real Madrid’s attention will surely turn to their upcoming matches as they aim to move past the Osasuna result. But for José Luis Munuera Montero, the road ahead may not be so easy. The threats he faces serve as a harsh reminder of the dangers that come with the high-pressure job of refereeing in the world’s most-watched football league