Former Liverpool star Iago Aspas has accused La Liga referee Pablo Gonzalez of fixing Real Madrid's win over Celta Vigo this weekend.
Karim Benzema scored a brace in the 2-1 victory in the league with Los Blancos well on their way to winning the title this season. But there had been controversy after they were awarded an astonishing three penalties during the match.
The Real striker broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the first 45 minutes while Nolito equalised soon after the break. Though Real soon had the chance to go back into the lead.
Jeison Murillo fouled Rodrygo in the box to give Benzema another chance to score from the spot but this time keeper Matias Dituro saved his effort. But that was not the end of it, when Kevin Vasquez took Ferland Mendy out in the box.
This time, Benzema did score and his brace proved pivotal as the match ended 2-1 but Aspas was left fuming as a result. And the former Liverpool star even went so far as to accuse the referee of match-fixing.
The striker said: "He [the referee] only needed the whistle for the fourth penalty to take it himself. It seems like a Benzema hat-trick is what he wanted and what he looked for."
The result took Real closer to their second league title in three years which was made closer to reality after Barcelona's win over Sevilla on Sunday night. It means Carlo Ancelotti's men are 12 points clear with eight games to go.
Pedri's wonder goal against Julen Lopetegui's men has put Barca second, a remarkable turnaround after a disastrous start to the season under Ronald Koeman. Xavi has come in and revitalised the Blaugrana and given them confidence ahead of next year.
Winning the Europa League would constitute a decent season for Los Cules considering their earlier woes while Real Madrid have their sights set on the Champions League. They face Chelsea where they are looking to strike revenge.
The Blues beat Real comfortably last season on their way to European glory while Los Blancos have not won the title since 2018 when they had won it three years in a row. Fede Valverde has insisted that vengeance is on their mind, when he said: “It’s a chance for us to get revenge after last year. We’ve got the players, the hunger and motivation to achieve our goal.”
