Irureta angry with Spanish referees

Deportivo La Coruna coach Javier Irureta believes referees are biased towards Spain's big clubs.

Irureta was still smarting from a weekend of controversy in the Primera Liga as his side prepared for their Champions League date with Olympiakos in Athens.

Irureta was upset with the refereeing of Medina Cantalejo in his side's surprise defeat at the hands of lowly Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Cantalejo disallowed a Diego Tristan effort which would have given Deportivo the lead.

Irureta said: "I was very hurt by Cantalejo's refereeing, because Tristan's goal was perfectly legal and would have meant us going 1-0 up."

Despite Cantalejo also disallowing what appeared a legitimate Rayo goal for offside later in the game, Irureta was adamant his side had suffered unjustly at the hands of the official.

"That goal would have meant Rayo going 3-1 up, that's not the same as opening the scoring," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

In contrast, Real Madrid transformed a 2-1 deficit at Villarreal courtesy of a questionable penalty award seven minutes from time, their 3-2 victory allowing Real to close the gap on leaders Deportivo at the top.

"I am beginning to notice small details because in other grounds, which I am not going to mention, the referee's did give things away," Irureta added.