Referee RicardoDeBurgosBengoetxea gave his first public interview after the match between Levante and Atlético de Madrid, played at the Ciutat de València on Saturday. The conversation, broadcast by Movistar, is part of a joint initiative by the club employers, the Spanish Federation and the referees' union to explain the most controversial decisions of the day.
During the talk, DeBurgos explained the reasons that led him to annul two Levante goals. In the first situation, an offside had been recorded in the VOR system, but the ball had crossed the line before the referee could observe it. The referee decided to rectify the play and convert the goal to offside. On the second occasion, the referee annulled the goal after confirming with the VAR that the play had been illegal, which confirmed the correct decision made on the field.
The referee also justified the yellow he showed to the Levante coach, LuísCastro. According to DeBurgos, the coach went too far in the comments he made to the referee at one point, which led to the penalty. In addition, a Levante kit player, whom the referee called “granota”, was sent off after conduct considered incorrect by the regulations. The referee assured that the expulsion was carried out in accordance with current regulations.
At another point in the interview, DeBurgos commented on an incident involving local player IvánRomero. The forward claimed to have received an elbow, but the referee explained that the blow occurred behind his back and that the VAR confirmed that it was a normal play of the game, without an infringement occurring.
The referee concluded the interview by remembering the victims of the Toledo accident and their families, to whom he sent a message of encouragement. The interview marks a milestone in the transparency of refereeing in LaLiga, offering fans a clearer view of the criteria that guide decisions on the pitch.