Sevilla have issued a statement accusing Real Madrid TV of trying to influence referee Diaz de Mera before the two sides clash on Sunday.
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Real Madrid TV accused of trying to influence refereeSevilla and Real play on SundayStatement condemns actions of TV presentersWHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid TV, in the build-up to their clash with Sevilla, aired a segment in which they pointed out previous mistakes from the game's assigned referee, de Mera. They did similar with the assigned VAR, Gonzalez Fuertes, and Sevilla have now made a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
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Sevilla's statement reads: "We wish to underline in the strongest terms our condemnation against these orchestrated campaigns aimed at undermining refereeing integrity. "The club wishes to confirm through a written statement to the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), we have reported the campaign of persecution and harassment towards the referee Diaz de Mera and González Fuertes (VAR) for tomorrow evening's game against Real Madrid orchestrated by Real Madrid TV, the official club television channel of Real Madrid.
"We wish to formally report these events to the RFEF to see if these actions can be considered as a violation of competition rules or any other regulations. The club also wishes to reiterate its strongest condemnation of these orchestrated campaigns aimed at undermining the image of the refereeing body, causing serious harm to Spanish football and calling into question the integrity of the competition."
CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Real are currently top of La Liga with 62 points, six points clear of second-placed Girona and eight clear of third-placed Barcelona. Sevilla, by comparison, are mired in 15th, but they are unbeaten in their last four games.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
There will likely be an intense focus on refereeing decisions when Real face Sevilla on Sunday, especially with former Los Blancos enforcer Sergio Ramos making his return to Santiago Bernabeu. It remains to be seen if Real can extend their lead at the top of the table, with Girona due back in action a day later against Rayo Vallecano.