The controversy in this
weekend's round of games came early, Turienzo Alvarez having the temerity to
award two penalties to Racing Santander late in the game against Real Madrid.
Both were highly dubious, the first more than the second, and it resulted in a
defeat for the Merengues, who also had Helguera and Mejía sent off.
The referee reported that
Capello had protested vehemently to him after the match, and technical director
Pedrag Mijatovic said in the press afterwards that something strange was going
on, and he suspected "a black hand" against his club (a Spanish expression
suggesting dirty dealings).
All that is par for the
course in Spain, but things started to get out of hand when Turienzo received
death threats at his home. The referee, obviously concerned for his family,
reported the matter to the police, and the referees' committee asked for steps
to be taken, including a sanction for Mijatovic for his declarations. Football
is only a game, but sometimes it seems that we are at war! (17.04.07)
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