“Good image for Spanish football” – Dean Huijsen reacts to ban decision

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Real Madrid will be without Dean Huijsen for this weekend’s match against Espanyol. His red card for a last man challenge on Mikel Oyarzabal during last Saturday’s win at Real Sociedad had been appealed, but the Appeal Committee has decided that the decision made by referee Jesus Gil Manzano was the right one.

Real Madrid had been very confident that Huijsen’s red card would be overturned, given that the CTA had also believed that Gil Manzano’s decision to dismiss the defender was the wrong one. Despite this, the Appeal Committee was clear with their verdict.

And not only has this angered Real Madrid, but Huijsen too. Shortly after it became known that appeal was rejected, he took to social media (via Diario AS) to make his feelings clear.

“1. Gil Manzano unjustly expelled Huijsen. 2. VAR does not enter and allows it. 3. Real Madrid plays with one less 2/3 of the match. 4. The CTA recognizes the error. 5. The CTA sanctions, once the error is recognized, with another party to Huijsen. The mistake is admitted but I am still suspended, a good image for Spanish football.”

Real Madrid consider taking the matter further

It is worth noting that the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) does not rule on appeals – rather, it is the Spanish Football Federation – through the Disciplinary Committee and Appeal Committee. Despite this, the anger from Real Madrid and Huijsen is monumental, and the report states that they are considering taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), although that would be dependant on the Higher Sports Council (CSD).

It remains to be seen what Real Madrid’s next move is, but if Huijsen does miss out against Espanyol, Xabi Alonso will have a decision to make on who partners Eder Militao in the centre of defence.