### La Liga Referee Controversies: 18 Key Decisions from the Season
The Spanish league, known for its high-stakes and often controversial matches, has seen numerous refereeing decisions that have left fans and analysts scratching their heads. This article examines some of the most significant controversies in La Liga during the 2022-2023 season.
#### 1. **Lionel Messi's Handball Against Real Madrid**
- **Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Lionel Messi was accused of handballing Cristiano Ronaldo during a crucial match. The incident led to a red card for Messi, which could have been avoided if the referee had correctly assessed the situation.
- **Outcome:** Messi received a second yellow card for his behavior, leading to a penalty shootout, which Barcelona eventually won.
#### 2. **Diego Costa's Handball Against Atlético Madrid**
- **Match:** Chelsea vs. Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Diego Costa was found guilty of handballing against Atlético Madrid. This decision resulted in a red card for the Portuguese striker.
- **Outcome:** Costa missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 3. **Federico Valverde's Handball Against Atletico Madrid**
- **Match:** Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Federico Valverde was charged with handballing during a critical match. Despite protests, the referee ruled in favor of the opposing team.
- **Outcome:** Valverde faced a ban for two games, which affected his form and performance throughout the season.
#### 4. **Andrés Iniesta's Handball Against Sevilla**
- **Match:** Barcelona vs. Sevilla (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Andres Iniesta was found guilty of handballing against Sevilla. This decision led to a red card for the Spanish midfielder.
- **Outcome:** Iniesta missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 5. **Ángel Di María's Handball Against Athletic Bilbao**
- **Match:** Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Angel Di María was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Argentine forward.
- **Outcome:** Di María missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 6. **Jesús Martínez's Handball Against Villarreal**
- **Match:** Barcelona vs. Villarreal (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Jesús Martínez was found guilty of handballing during a critical match. This decision led to a red card for the Spanish defender.
- **Outcome:** Martínez missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 7. **Alvaro Morata's Handball Against Real Madrid**
- **Match:** Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur (La Liga)
- **Controversy:** Alvaro Morata was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Spanish striker.
- **Outcome:** Morata missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 8. **Marcos Alonso's Handball Against Sevilla**
**Match:** Real Madrid vs. Sevilla (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Marcos Alonso was found guilty of handballing during a crucial match. This decision led to a red card for the Spanish goalkeeper.
**Outcome:** Alonso missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 9. **Lucas Vázquez's Handball Against Real Sociedad**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Lucas Vázquez was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Spanish midfielder.
**Outcome:** Vázquez missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 10. **Pedro Fernández's Handball Against Atlético Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Pedro Fernández was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Argentine forward.
**Outcome:** Fernández missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 11. **Iker Casillas's Handball Against Real Sociedad**
**Match:** Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Iker Casillas was found guilty of handballing during a crucial match. This decision led to a red card for the Spanish goalkeeper.
**Outcome:** Casillas missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 12. **David Silva's Handball Against Real Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** David Silva was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Portuguese midfielder.
**Outcome:** Silva missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 13. **Neymar Jr.'s Handball Against Real Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Neymar Jr. was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Brazilian forward.
**Outcome:** Neymar Jr. missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 14. **Cristiano Ronaldo's Handball Against Real Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Portuguese forward.
**Outcome:** Ronaldo missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 15. **Antoine Griezmann's Handball Against Sevilla**
**Match:** Real Madrid vs. Sevilla (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Antoine Griezmann was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the French striker.
**Outcome:** Griezmann missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 16. **Sergio Ramos's Handball Against Real Sociedad**
**Match:** Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Sergio Ramos was found guilty of handballing during a crucial match. This decision led to a red card for the Spanish defender.
**Outcome:** Ramos missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 17. **Kylian Mbappé's Handball Against Real Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Kylian Mbappé was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the French striker.
**Outcome:** Mbappé missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
#### 18. **Gareth Bale's Handball Against Real Madrid**
**Match:** Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
**Controversy:** Gareth Bale was accused of handballing during a crucial match. The incident resulted in a red card for the Welsh forward.
**Outcome:** Bale missed the rest of the season due to suspension.
These controversies not only highlighted the challenges referees face but also underscored the importance of maintaining fair play and ensuring that players adhere to the rules of the game. The impact on player performances and teams' results is significant, leading to discussions about the role of the referee in maintaining the integrity of the competition.