Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has hit out at referee, Alejandro Muniz Ruiz over his “inexplicable” decision not to send of Espanyol’s Carlos Romero.
Romero eventually scored a late winner as Madrid lost 1-0 on Saturday night.
After the game, the defender also apologised for his challenge on Kylian Mbappé.
Romero was shown a yellow card by Ruiz for his foul on Mbappé in the 61st minute.
He brought down the France captain with a tackle from behind, as he broke away on the counter attack.
In the 85th minute of the game, Romero then scored a dramatic 85th minute winner.
The result leaves Ancelotti’s men just one point clear of rivals Atlético Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table.
“The decision the referee and the VAR took is inexplicable,” Ancelotti told a post-match news conference.
“Everyone saw it. The most important thing is to protect the player. It’s a clear foul, a very ugly challenge.
“Fortunately nothing happened in terms of an injury, but the VAR is there for that. It’s inexplicable to us that he didn’t show a red card.”