“IF THEY WANT Barcelona to win at all costs, they should give them the Copa del Rey directly and not make us play meaningless games.” Javi Moreno, Albacete defender and scorer of the injury time goal, has accused three referees of the Copa del Rey quarter-final match between Albacete and Barcelona of cheating and deliberately ignoring a series of serious fouls by the Blaugranas, leaving the Second Division team at a very serious disadvantage.

The player went further by insulting Lamine Yamal, describing facing him as “a humiliation for my career as a footballer” and calling him “protected by the VAR”. However, the RFEF and the CTA did not allow the situation to escalate and immediately sanctioned Javi Moreno with a very high fine and a possible suspension…

The controversy broke out immediately after the final whistle in the stadium, when Javi Moreno appeared before the media, visibly indignant. The Albacete defender did not hide his frustration and pointed directly to the refereeing as a decisive factor in the result.

According to Moreno, the Copa del Rey quarterfinal match was conditioned from the first minutes. He assured that several hard tackles by Barcelona players went without sanction, creating a clear imbalance between a First Division team and another from the Second Division.

The footballer insisted that these were not isolated errors, but rather a pattern repeated throughout the match. In their story, the referees ignored serious fouls, legitimate protests and situations that, in their opinion, deserved VAR review.

The most incendiary statements came when Javi Moreno referred directly to Lamine Yamal. The young Barcelona talent was described by the defender as an “untouchable” player, protected by referee decisions and constantly favored in each individual duel.

Moreno even stated that facing Yamal had been “a humiliation” for his professional career. These words further inflamed the controversy, since many interpreted them as a personal attack against one of the greatest promises of Spanish football.

On social media, the reaction was immediate and divided. Some Albacete fans supported the player, denouncing unequal treatment in the Copa del Rey. Others, however, accused Moreno of crossing an inadmissible line with his statements.

Barcelona, ​​for its part, initially opted for silence. There was no immediate official response from the Blaugrana club, although internal sources described the accusations as unfair and the result of the tension inherent in a decisive match.

Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation followed the case closely. The RFEF and the Technical Committee of Referees analyzed the player’s public statements, considering that they could damage the image of the competition and the refereeing team.

In a matter of hours, a provisional sanction was announced against Javi Moreno. The federation imposed a large financial fine and opened the door to a possible suspension, arguing that the accusations of “cheating” were especially serious.

The CTA defended the work of the referee team, ensuring that the decisions made during the match were in accordance with the regulations. They also stressed that the VAR was used correctly and that there were no obvious errors.

This episode has revived the eternal debate about the arbitration treatment of Barcelona in national competitions. For years, certain sectors of Spanish football have maintained that big clubs receive more favorable decisions in key matches.

For modest teams like Albacete, the Copa del Rey represents a unique opportunity to compete on equal terms. For this reason, many fans understand the frustration that a player can feel after a controversial elimination.

However, other analysts remember that media and emotional pressure does not justify personal attacks or accusations without conclusive evidence. In his opinion, Moreno should have channeled his discomfort in another way.

The case of Lamine Yamal adds a sensitive component to the debate. At just seventeen years old, the winger is a huge media figure, and any criticism of him generates an immediate impact on and off the field.

Some former footballers came out in defense of the young Blaugrana, highlighting his talent and professionalism. They stated that charging against such a young player is unfair and diverts attention from purely football analysis.

From the Albacete locker room, the message was more conciliatory as the hours passed. Several of Javi Moreno’s teammates recognized the harshness of the refereeing, but avoided publicly supporting the insults directed at Yamal.

The sanction imposed by the RFEF could have important sporting consequences for the defender. A possible suspension would make him miss key matches in the league, directly affecting the goals of the La Mancha club.

In terms of image, the episode also leaves its mark. Moreno’s words have been reproduced by national and international media, placing Albacete at the center of a controversy that transcends sports.

Sports communication experts point out that these conflicts tend to be amplified in the digital age. An explosive statement can become a global trend in minutes, with consequences that are difficult for the protagonists to control.

The Copa del Rey, traditionally a symbol of surprises and epic, is once again involved in arbitration controversy. Each edition leaves open debates on competitive balance and the role of technology.

For Barcelona, ​​the focus now is on continuing to advance in the tournament. However, the shadow of controversy will accompany the team, especially in future matches where each refereeing decision will be closely observed.

Albacete, eliminated but combative, leaves with the feeling of having competed to the limit. Its fans demand respect and believe that the club deserves fairer treatment in national competitions.

This episode could mark a before and after in Javi Moreno’s career. From a hero for his injury-time goal, he quickly became the protagonist of an exemplary sanction by official bodies.

In short, the crossing between Albacete and Barcelona leaves much more than a result. It leaves open questions about refereeing, media power, young stars and the limits of criticism in Spanish professional football.