Marcelino Garcia Toral has denied ‘insulting or belittling’ the referee during Real Betis’ win over his Villarreal side.
Nosa Igiebor scored the only goal of Sunday evening’s meeting for Los Beticos, in a match that saw Marcelino sent to the stands during the second half for protesting a missed penalty call.
“I protested with my arms raised, but I did not insult or belittle the referee,” pointed Marcelino after the game.
“I will not talk about the referee. I’m not going to speak of him excellently, nor badly. I am not afraid of his report. You can only put in a protest at his decision but nothing more.
“The images and facts are what they are. The players, who are implicated, have told me that something on the field had happened and then it is for the referee to decide. Nothing more.”
The result has ended Villarreal’s unbeaten start to the season .
“It is a shame that we have not been able to take any of the chances.
“It is true that I am annoyed with the result, but losing only in our seventh game is something to be proud of.
“There are many ways to lose, this hurts less.”
