Gerard Piqué slammed Real Madrid's complaints about referees, calling them a 'pure smokescreen' on Wednesday. The former Barcelona player stated that Real Madrid has been doing this for 120 years.

What happened?

Gerard Piqué made these comments at a promotional event at LaLiga headquarters. He claimed that when Real Madrid loses, they need to talk about something else.

Real Madrid sent a letter of protest to the Spanish Football Federation on Monday, criticizing referees for their 'scandalous performance' in the league match against Espanyol. The club lost 1-0.

Why it matters for Gerard Piqué

Gerard Piqué's comments come after Real Madrid's formal complaint about the disallowed goal for Vinícius and the harsh tackle by Espanyol's Carlos Romero on Kylian Mbappé. Piqué believes that the referee debate will always exist.

The former Barcelona player thinks that Madrid has always turned on the 'machinery' when things aren't going well. He said that they are used to it.

What comes next?

Iker Casillas defended his former club's statement, arguing that Madrid 'has to defend its interests'. He suggested that the VAR system should include a former player who can provide their judgment.

Gerard Piqué's comments were made on February 5, 2025. The event has sparked a debate about referees' decisions in LaLiga. Real Madrid's complaint is currently being reviewed by the Spanish Football Federation.

The club's statement pointed to a 'double standard' in two 'serious' decisions. They claimed that the disallowed goal for Vinícius was 'completely legal' and that the harsh tackle on Mbappé warranted 'immediate expulsion'.

Gerard Piqué's comments have been seen as a response to Real Madrid's complaints. He believes that the club is trying to distract from their loss. The debate is ongoing, with many fans and players weighing in on social media.

The Spanish Football Federation has not yet made a decision on Real Madrid's complaint. The club is waiting for a response, but Gerard Piqué's comments have sparked a wider debate about referees' decisions in LaLiga.