Xabi Alonso shared his thoughts regarding the controversial sending off of Huijsen, and he made it clear that he did not fully agree with the referee’s decision. According to him, the foul in question should not have been punished with a red card but rather with a yellow. He argued that the situation on the pitch did not meet the standards for such a severe sanction.
Alonso pointed out that Éder Militão was close to the incident, meaning the Real Madrid defense was not completely exposed. He also emphasized that the ball was not fully under control at the moment of the challenge, which weakened the argument that Huijsen had denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Moreover, the action occurred nearly 40 meters away from goal, leaving enough distance for the play to develop differently.
Even after reviewing the incident on replay, Alonso maintained his stance, saying that nothing in the footage changed his interpretation of the challenge. For him, the evidence still supported the view that it was a booking offense at most, not something deserving of a straight dismissal. His comments highlight the fine margins and subjective judgments that often spark debate in football refereeing decisions.
The coach also revealed that the referee gave him an explanation for the call, but he admitted that it was not convincing. Rather than prolonging the dispute or stirring further controversy, Alonso decided to close the matter by saying, “we’ll leave it there.” His remarks underline his professionalism while also standing firm on his perspective, ensuring his players and supporters know he is defending the team’s interests.