Lamine Yamal, at 17 years old, has brought a dose of common sense to the destructive spiral that has been mounted against referees.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Lamine Yamal tries to calm the turbulent spirits by bringing sanity.
Lamine has already spoken about the controversial penalty called on Íñigo Martínez that has caused such a stir:
"If No One Complains, Someone from Another Team Not Playing Complains"
"It's very clear. What happens is that I think lately almost everything is questioned. There are things that are clear and there is no doubt.
The referee's job is very difficult, because in the end if you call for one side, the other will complain. And if no one complains, someone from another team not playing complains.
It's a very difficult job. But for me, the penalty is very clear."
Lamine Yamal refers to Real Madrid and its media apparatus presenting complaints that Rayo Vallecano did not make.
He also referred to the disallowed goal for Rayo in which Nteka obstructs Íñigo Martínez:
"I think it's like he blocks Íñigo. I haven't seen it, but I suppose it was offside if VAR came in."
"Neither Madrid, Nor Barça, Nor Atlético Can Complain"
The key question: Do referees favor Barça and harm Real Madrid?
"When we were six points ahead, I remember in Getafe's field the penalty on Jules (Koundé) that wasn't called and yesterday they did call that one on Íñigo. So, I don't know...
In the Copa del Rey, Madrid was first favored by the referees and then against Osasuna they went against them. Every matchday is going to be like that.
I think we can't complain, Madrid, Barça, and Atlético. I think the referees try to do their best. Matches like those of Alavés and Leganés aren't talked about as much and maybe there are more controversial actions.
"When the Team Is Doing Well, It Doesn't Listen to Anything from Outside"
But the referees try to do the best they can. It's a very difficult job because someone will always complain. We are very happy."
Regarding the note published by Real Madrid against the referees, Lamine Yamal reveals that it wasn't even discussed in Barça's locker room:
"The truth is that we didn't talk about it, we are in a good moment, we are thinking about ourselves, that we had to keep winning. And I think when the team is doing well, it doesn't listen to anything from outside. It's only focused on winning and continuing to play."