Real Oviedo Voices Discontent Over Refereeing Decisions

Real Oviedo concluded the match with disappointment over the result and frustration towards referee Alejandro Quintero González for failing to award a penalty for a handball by Boyomo, despite reviewing the incident on VAR in the 80th minute.

“In recent matches, it seems we have been consistently disadvantaged by the officiating. It appears easy to penalize Oviedo. The handball was clear, and I cannot understand how it was not called. Ultimately, they played well, but a fair outcome would have been a draw,” stated Hassan in an interview with DAZN following the game. “Had the handball by Boyomo been called, the result would likely have been different,” he concluded.

Hassan was not alone in expressing discontent; Oviedo’s coach, Almada, also voiced concerns. “These are recurrent issues we’ve been facing in matches, with clear situations in our favor going unpunished. They are pivotal moments in the game, regardless of the defensive errors we made. Such situations create a sense of frustration,” the coach remarked to DAZN.

Fede Viñas also commented on the controversial incident. “I didn’t see it live, but the Osasuna player informed me it was a handball. I protested for a penalty because he told me it had touched his hand, but it was not awarded,” he mentioned on DAZN.

In response to the events at El Sadar, Real Oviedo quickly articulated their grievances. Just hours after the final whistle, the club publicly denounced what they perceive as a series of detrimental refereeing decisions in recent weeks. This reaction is unusual for a club that has historically maintained a good relationship with referees, even under the current management of Grupo Pachuca, which had previously drawn some criticism.

However, this time, patience has worn thin. Real Oviedo issued an official statement expressing their dissatisfaction with recent refereeing performances and calling for a standardization of criteria. They specifically pointed to the actions of Quintero González on the field and Raúl Martín González Francés in the VAR room, which they deemed crucial to their leaders’ frustration.

In the published text, the club conveyed its concern, stating their “deep frustration and worry regarding a series of factors directly affecting the course of matches.” The core of their complaint revolves around the inconsistent application of rules for similar actions in different matches. Almada previously highlighted this disparity in a press conference when discussing a foul against Chaira and a penalty awarded to Girona: “It is particularly surprising to see a lack of uniform criteria in decision-making across different games, creating a clear sense of inequality.”

Nonetheless, the club is careful to ensure that their statement does not come across as an excuse for poor performance. The message is clear: “None of this should be interpreted as an excuse for the team’s obligation to continue working diligently to improve our results.”

In terms of their demands, Oviedo emphasizes one word: respect. They believe that respect has been compromised in recent weeks and explicitly call for a fair, equitable, and consistent application of rules that does not disadvantage Real Oviedo or disrupt the integrity of the competition.

The statement concludes on a positive note, highlighting the professionalism and commitment displayed by the players and coaching staff in challenging circumstances. The club expressed gratitude for the “constant and unwavering support from our exemplary fans,” and they trust this backing will remain crucial in their pursuit of maintaining their position in the league.