'I asked if he had a personal problem with me': Sergio Ramos SLAMS referee Hernandez Hernandez as defender claims he is 'arrogan
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos blasted referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez following his side's shock 1-0 defeat to Levante on Saturday.
In a disastrous day for title-chasing Los Blancos, Jose Luis Morales scored the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time for the underdogs as Real surrendered both their 15-game unbeaten streak and their lead in the league to rivals Barcelona after they beat Eibar 5-0 earlier in the day.
Real spurned a host of chances and had two penalty appeals for handball waved away and Ramos, who was booked 10 minutes into the game in Valencia, suggested that Real were not receiving a fair share of the calls recently.
"I don't like talking about referees as they can make mistakes, but sometimes it makes you think,' Ramos said after the game, 'The criteria is different. They gave a penalty against me for an involuntary handball in the Supercopa de Espana. Today, there are two and they don't give it."
It is not the first time Ramos has complained after a match officiated by referee Hernandez Hernandez this season after Rafael Varane appeared to have been fouled twice during their 0-0 draw with Barca in December but nothing was given.
"I'm annoyed with Hernandez Hernandez. Referees were more respectful before and captains could speak to them. The arrogance is something that you have or you don't have", Ramos added.
"I asked (the referee) if he had any personal problem with me and, if he did, to tell me so we could work it out. We're annoyed."
It was a disappointing night for Real ahead of a crucial week for their season as they face Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday before a crucial Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday that will have a big bearing on who lifts the La Liga title.
Just to add to their woes, it looks as though they be without Eden Hazard for the mammoth ties as he limped off during the defeat.
"I think it's a knock to the same area where he suffered his last injury and it does not look good," said manager Zinedine Zidane of the injury after the game.