Ronaldo's Red Card Punishment: The Referee Was Not Assigned to Officiate for Nearly Two Years

The straightforward comments from the ex-referee extend beyond the single red card shown to Cristiano Ronaldo, shedding light on the wider challenges of pressure, power, and behind-the-scenes repercussions referees endure.

The story shared by former La Liga referee Javier Estrada Fernandez recently sparked considerable debate about thedark side of referee management and governance in Spanish football.

According to Estrada Fernandez, the incident occurred during the 2009/10 La Liga season in the 13th round match between Real Madrid and Almeria. Real Madrid won 4–2, but the controversy centered on the 88th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off following the referee’s red card decision. Although this was considered a legally correct call from a professional standpoint, the consequences Estrada Fernandez faced afterward went far beyond a typical match incident.

The former La Liga referee revealed that after issuing the red card to Ronaldo, he was almost completely excluded from officiating Real Madrid matches for nearly two years. Notably, right after returning home from the game, he received a call from the then Chairman of the Referees Committee, Sanchez Arminio. According to Estrada Fernandez, the conversation was more of a warning than professional feedback.

"He said he was unhappy with what happened, warned that the incident would appear on the front pages of all national sports newspapers, and implied that there would be consequences."- the former referee recounted his conversation with Sanchez Arminio.

From his personal experience, Estrada Fernandez asserted that football has a dark side that many prefer not to acknowledge. It is a place where the fame of stars, the influence of major clubs, and public pressure can heavily affect how the system operates. He believes some people are willing to exploit these factors for personal gain, disregarding fairness and the independence of referees.

The revelations by the former La Liga referee quickly attracted fans' attention, especially amid ongoing controversies surrounding refereeing in Spain recently. Many opinions suggest this story partly explains why referees often face immense pressure when officiating matches involving traditional powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona.