On June 4, 2023, RCD Espanyol staged one of the most symbolic protests in Spanish football that season. The 1xBet sport betting platform is also perfect for wagering on Spanish football too.
In a home match against Almería, the players stood still and refused to touch the ball for the 1st full minute after kickoff. The demonstration was a powerful response to what the club and its supporters saw as unjust refereeing decisions that had heavily influenced their relegation battle. At 1xBet punters can also make sport betting on various things that can happen during football matches too.
The protest came after a series of controversial VAR and referee calls in previous matches, notably in fixtures against 3 particular teams:
- Atlético de Madrid;
- Real Madrid;
- and Mallorca.
Espanyol had formally filed complaints with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Technical Committee of Referees, citing what they believed to be a pattern of unfair officiating.
Full support from the fans
The unusual silence on the pitch was mirrored in the stands. If you also like this sport, you can also try the best football bets today by becoming a member of the 1xBet platform.
Espanyol supporters, many dressed in black as a symbol of mourning for sports justice, created a somber atmosphere. To emphasize their anger, tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch from the stands, causing a brief delay in play. The visual message was clear: the integrity of the competition was under protest. Remember that 1xBet also allows punters to try all sorts of bets on football competitions like the Spanish La Liga too.
A symbolic sanction
Following the protest, the RFEF’s Competition Committee fined Espanyol €400, citing a “slight alteration of the order of the match.” The tennis ball incident was also noted, but no further sanctions were imposed on the club or players.
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This act of defiance didn’t change the final outcome. This was because Espanyol was ultimately relegated from La Liga. However, it resonated deeply with fans and sparked broader discussion in Spanish media about the transparency and consistency of refereeing in the league.
For Espanyol, the protest was more than a reaction to a few bad calls. It was a public, unified demand for accountability and fairness in football. Though brief, that 1 minute of stillness captured the frustration of an entire season, and a fan base that felt their club’s fate was not decided solely on the pitch. It is very easy to download the 1xBet app and then use it to bet on Espanyol and other football teams from Spain and other countries too.
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