If Real Sociedad don't win the league this year they won't be able to claim it was due to bad refereeing decisions, at least in the latter part of the season. This time it was the turn of their opponents Real Madrid to complain as Carmona Méndez left them without a win thanks to a couple of dubious decisions at least. It is not unusual to see Fernando Hierro arguing with the referee at the end, but this time he probably had a point as the official disallowed two goals, gave some borderline offside decisions and turned down penalty appeals by Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo. The first goal ruled out by Raúl was marginally offside, but later in the match he wasn't when he got free on goal and was pulled up, and in the second half Ronaldo got the ball in the net only to see it invalidated for what the referee considered to be a previous foul by Michel Salgado. Madrid were being stoic about it after the match, saying that they thought it was wrong to criticise referees in general, but it obviously hurt. (03.06.03)