Atlético Madrid Denounces "Coordinated Campaign of Discredit and Harassment" Against Referee Munuera Montero
- Atlético Madrid vehemently denies any connection with the company owned by Spanish referee José Luis Munuera Montero, who has been falsely accused of conflict of interest.
- The club denounces a "coordinated campaign of discredit and harassment" against Montero following controversial decisions in the Osasuna-Real Madrid match.
- Atlético’s statement asserts that it has "no commercial or contractual relationship with Talentus Sports Speakers," a public speaking consultancy firm founded and co-owned by Montero.
- Spanish media outlets had alleged that Talentus had ties to football federations and clubs, including Atlético Madrid.
- The club categorically rejects these "false allegations" and baseless accusations.
- The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has concluded an internal investigation and found no conflict of interest between Montero’s business activities and his refereeing duties.
- Atlético condemns such harassment campaigns as detrimental to the image of football and insists that they must not go unpunished.
Background of the Controversy
- Montero, the referee of the Osasuna-Real Madrid match, has faced public accusations from Real Madrid’s television channel of overlooking several penalties in Madrid’s favor.
- He also controversially sent off Jude Bellingham for an alleged insult, which the player later explained as a misunderstanding directed at himself, not the referee.
- Real Madrid has launched an institutional offensive against the refereeing system, calling it "corrupt from within" and "completely discredited" following several decisions that went against the team.
Atlético’s Response
- Atlético Madrid stands firmly behind Montero, who is a respected referee with a long track record of impartiality.
- The club believes that the attacks on Montero are part of a wider campaign to undermine the integrity of the game.
- Atlético urges the authorities to investigate the source of these false accusations and hold those responsible to account.
- The club remains committed to fair play and ethical behavior in football and rejects any attempts to manipulate the outcome of matches.
Consequences of Harassment
- Atlético highlights the damaging consequences of harassment campaigns against referees.
- Such actions intimidate referees and erode public trust in the fairness of the game.
- It creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that undermines the impartiality of officials.
- Atlético calls for a stop to the harassment of referees and demands that those who engage in such behavior be held accountable.
Conclusion
Atlético Madrid’s resolute defense of Montero sends a clear message that it will not tolerate attacks on the integrity of the game. The club’s unwavering support for fair play and ethical conduct serves as a beacon of hope in a time when the credibility of football is under threat.
