**La Liga: 18 Controversial Referee Calls in the Current Season**

The 2023-2024 La Liga season has been nothing short of dramatic, with referees making decisions that have sparked heated debates among fans, players, and analysts alike. Below are 18 of the most controversial referee calls that have shaped the season so far.

1. **The Most Controversial Call**

One of the most talked-about decisions came in a high-stakes derby between Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a pivotal match, the referee awarded a penalty to Real Madrid after a handball decision against Barcelona’s central defender. The decision led to a goal and sparked outrage among Barcelona fans, with accusations of bias.

2. **The Offside Decision**

In a thrilling match between Atlético Madrid and Sevilla, a referee’s decision to rule a Sevilla player offside in the final moments of the game prevented a clear chance on target. The decision was widely criticized, with Sevilla fans arguing it robbed them of a potential winner.

3. **The Dubious Free Kick**

A match between Valencia and Betis saw a referee awarding a free kick to Betis in the 90th minute after a perceived foul by Valencia’s defender. The decision led to a late goal and controversy, with Valencia players and fans claiming it was a dive.

4. **The Handball Appeal**

A controversial handball decision in a Levante vs. Getafe match led to a penalty for Getafe. The referee’s decision was immediately appealed by Levante, with players and fans accusing the official of being too quick to whistle.

5. **The Goal-Line Decision**

In a tense match between Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna, the referee controversially ruled a goal off the post after a Rayo Vallecano striker’s shot hit the crossbar. The decision was widely debated, with some viewers claiming it was a clear goal.

6. **The Red Card Controversy**

A match between Granada and Almería saw a referee send off Almería’s star striker for a second bookable offense. The decision led to a man-down situation and was met with frustration from Almería’s supporters, who felt the punishment was too harsh.

7. **The Penalty Decision**

A high-profile match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao ended in drama after a referee awarded a penalty to Athletic Bilbao following a foul by Real Sociedad’s defender. The decision was celebrated by Bilbao fans but lambasted by Real Sociedad’s players and supporters.

8. **The Late Goal Controversy**

A last-minute goal for Villarreal in a match against Celta Vigo was controversially allowed after a referee’s whistle had already blown for a foul. The goal was immediately questioned, with Celta Vigo players and fans accusing the referee of allowing the game to continue.

9. **The Red Card Dispute**

A match between Mallorca and Barcelona saw a referee issue a red card to Mallorca’s midfielder for a tackle on Barcelona’s star player. The decision led to a heated exchange between the referee and the Mallorca bench, with claims of unfair treatment.

10. **The Goal-Line Technology Fiasco**

In a match between Real Madrid and Betis, a goal was controversially disallowed due to a failed goal-line technology decision. The referee initially ruled it a goal but overturned it after a linesman’s advice. The decision was met with confusion and frustration from Real Madrid’s players and fans.

11. **The Handball Decision**

A match between Getafe and Sevilla saw a referee rule that a Sevilla player had intentionally handled the ball in the penalty area. The decision led to a penalty for Getafe, which they converted to secure a hard-fought win. Sevilla’s players and fans were livid, accusing the referee of a harsh interpretation.

12. **The Offside Trap**

A clever offside trap by a Real Madrid attacker in a match against Valencia led to a controversial goal. The referee initially allowed the goal but later deemed it offside after a linesman’s flag. Real Madrid’s players and fans were left fuming, claiming the decision robbed them of a vital three points.

13. **The Penalty Decision Reversal**

In a match between Athletic Bilbao and Real Valladolid, a referee initially awarded a penalty to Athletic Bilbao following a foul by Valladolid’s defender. However, after consulting the video assistant, the referee overturned the decision, leading to a wave of booing from Athletic Bilbao’s fans.

14. **The Red Card Appeal**

A match between Espanyol and Osasuna saw a referee send off Osasuna’s midfielder for a brutal tackle on Espanyol’s striker. The decision led to a man-down situation, but Osasuna’s players and fans argued the punishment was excessive.

15. **The Goal-Line Controversy**

A match between Barcelona and Inter Miami (in the U.S. pre-season tour) saw a goal controversially disallowed after the referee and linesman disagreed on whether the ball had crossed the line. Barcelona’s players and fans were frustrated, claiming the decision was incorrect.

16. **The Handball Incident**

A referee ruled that a Real Madrid player had intentionally handled the ball in the penalty area during a match against Almería. The decision led to a penalty for Almería, which they converted to secure a win. Real Madrid’s players and fans were adamant that the handball was accidental.

17. **The Late Red Card**

In a match between Atalanta and Juventus, a referee issued a red card to Atalanta’s defender in the 92nd minute for a challenge on Juventus’ forward. The decision came after a series of incidents and was met with anger from Atalanta’s supporters, who felt the referee was too harsh.

18. **The Goal-Line Decision Reversal**

A match between Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo saw a goal initially allowed by the referee after a crossbar touch, only for the linesman to inform him the ball had not fully crossed the line. The decision was reversed, leading to a tense finish and controversy among the fans.

These 18 controversial referee calls have been a hot topic of discussion in the La Liga season, with fans and analysts debating the decisions’ impact on the games and the league’s integrity. While referees often face intense scrutiny, their decisions are inherently subjective and can change the course of a match.