Real Madrid haven't been champions, but they lead the LaLiga penalty rankings. They also lead the ranking of refereeing errors that had to be corrected by VAR.
Barça enter the box more often, but the penalties go to Real Madrid
This means that if it hadn't been for VAR, refereeing errors would've given Real Madrid another league title. Another league title tainted by suspicion.
What isn't up for debate is that Real Madrid are the kings of penalties. Thanks to them, Mbappé has been able to win the Pichichi and the Golden Boot.
Barça are the team that have entered the box the most, scored the most goals, and created the most scoring chances. 102 goals for, compared to just 78 for Real Madrid.
The trio Vinícius, Bellingham, Mbappé, who were expected to take the world by storm, haven't found the net and fell 24 goals short of the champions. This difference gives an idea of the gap in play that has separated the two sides.
Hansi Flick's Barça haven't just scored 24 more goals than Real Madrid. They've also been the team that have created the most chances, with 483 shots on target compared to 451 for Real Madrid.
Resounding success of Florentino's TV strategy
It's clear that Barça are the team that have entered the box the most over the 38 matchdays of the championship. But this reality isn't reflected in the distribution of penalties, which is scandalously favorable to Real Madrid.
It seems proven that the harassment and pressure on referees from the TV channel led by Florentino Pérez has gotten its way: influencing refereeing decisions.
Referees have awarded 14 penalties to Real Madrid, which were actually 17, because 3 were overturned by VAR. Barça, meanwhile, are left with 8, despite creating more chances and scoring more goals.
The penalty on Dani Olmo at San Mamés
The penalty by Athletic on Dani Olmo in the final matchday, at San Mamés, sums up the refereeing attitude against Barça. González Fuertes saw Olmo brought down inside the box, but opted for "play on, play on...".
He didn't call it. VAR had to encourage him to watch the replay. Only then was another refereeing injustice against Barça in a match that was already decided prevented.
Even so, the media subject to Florentino Pérez's criteria keep talking about Negreira as if this league were under suspicion. Barça already know that to win a title, they have to fight against everything and everyone.
It's well known. When the penalty is for Real Madrid, the contact is clear. If it's for Barça, it's not enough.
This year, in the three titles they've won, they've beaten and thrashed Real Madrid... But Negreira will always be to blame. The narrative never changes.