RB Leipzig players accuse referee of favouritism towards Real Madrid after 1-1 draw

Real Madrid’s clash against RB Leipzig last night was headlined by Vinicius Jr who scored the team’s only goal and ensured their progression to the quarterfinal. It was, however, not without its fair share of controversy.

The biggest talking point of the game, unsurprisingly, involved Vinicius Jr. The forward got into an unnecessary altercation with Leipzig captain Willi Orban and went on to shove the player to the ground but was lucky to not be sent off.

His impulsive action on the night has attracted criticism from several quarters.

Orban’s defensive partner opens up

Speaking to the media after the game, Leipzig defender David Raum made it very clear that, in his opinion, Vinicius deserved a stronger punishment for his impulsive and unwarranted aggression towards Willi Orban.

“I don’t know if he should have been expelled for that action. I think that despite receiving a yellow card, he should have been expelled for some entries he had made before.”

Raum also went on to cite that the referees on the night showered more favouritism towards the Real Madrid players on the night.

“The referee spoke to us a little differently than to the Real Madrid players. I don’t know why, we are also nice and fun guys.”

Finally, the German full-back admitted that, while his team did not qualify, they were the better side on the night as admitted by several Real Madrid players themselves.

He began, however, by stating that his teammate Orban felt Vinicius should have seen an undisputed red, saying: “For him, it’s a red card. We can talk a lot now but it’s not going to help us.”

“We are out of the Champions League and congratulations Madrid but also many Madrid players have told us that they have been lucky today. When the Bernabéu whistles, we know that we have done many things well today,” he added.

Stronger words from Henrichs

Raum’s teammate Benjamin Heinrichs also spoke to the media after the game, although his words towards Vinicius were far less sugarcoated.

“In the field, I haven’t talked to him (Orban) because he was on the ground. In the locker room, we have seen the images and it is obvious and clear that it is a red card. We don’t have to lie.”

He then insisted that had the roles been reversed, the decision would likely have changed, thus also accusing the referees of partiality.

“If it is the other way around and it is one of us who pushes a Real Madrid player and falls to the ground, it would surely be a red card. I don’t know why he didn’t get a red card. You have to ask the referee.”

Finally, Heinrichs went on to state that had the referee got the call right at that point, it could have been Leipzig progressing and inflicting elimination on Real Madrid.

“It’s bad luck for us too that Vinicius scores the goal later and we are out.”