Real Sociedad fuming over Brais Méndez red card decision
La Real's sporting director Erik Bretos criticizes referee Cuadra Fernández for sending off Méndez without properly reviewing the incident at San Mamés.
Real Sociedad continue to voice their frustration after Brais Méndez’s controversial red card during their Basque derby defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
‘Refereeing without seeing the play’
La Real’s sporting director Erik Bretos has publicly criticized referee Cuadra Fernández’s decision to send off Méndez with a straight red card without properly reviewing the incident, either on the pitch or via VAR. What’s particularly galling for the San Sebastián club is that they were leading 1-0 when the dismissal occurred, completely changing the complexion of the match.
“Refereeing is incredibly complicated, but refereeing without seeing the play is even more complicated,” Bretos stated, clearly exasperated by the officiating.
The club’s frustration stems not just from the decision itself, but the process behind it. Bretos questioned why all available technology wasn’t utilized to ensure the correct call was made in such a pivotal moment.
Match report discrepancies
Adding to Real Sociedad’s grievances is the mismatch between the referee’s match report and what actually transpired on the pitch. The incident involved Méndez, Paredes, and Jauregizar, but according to Bretos, the report’s description bears little resemblance to reality.
The report cited “violent conduct” and “excessive force” - terminology that La Real believe is completely disconnected from what actually happened during the incident. As Bretos puts it, it’s “difficult for anyone to understand” how those descriptions apply to the actual footage of the incident.
Derby disappointment
For Real Sociedad, this wasn’t just any match - it was the fiercely contested Basque derby against their rivals Athletic Bilbao. The red card came at a crucial point when La Real had the game “under control” according to Bretos.
The club’s brass aren’t just upset about a one-off error from an official, but rather the systemic failure to use available technology to correct potential mistakes. In a derby with such importance, these decisions can have massive consequences, and Real Sociedad clearly feel hard done by.
The incident has left a bitter taste for Txuri-urdin supporters, who’ll be hoping their complaints might lead to some retrospective action or at least improved officiating standards going forward. But for now, it’s another case of VAR controversy in La Liga that’s left one club feeling proper mugged off.