Thibaut Courtois lashes out at referees before El Clásico

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stirred fresh controversy in Spain on Thursday ahead of the El Clásico scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 21:00, when he publicly criticised refereeing and the role of VAR.

Pre-match context

Speaking in advance of the showdown at Camp Nou, Courtois complained that refereeing mistakes had repeatedly gone in favour of the same side and accused match officials and VAR of overreach. He said that live conversations among the officiating team had been followed by decisions that contradicted what supporters heard.

Courtois said: "I hope that the refereeing mistakes in the upcoming El Clásico will not again go in favour of the same side, as has been the case so far. They mock us, they force us to listen to a live conversation among the refereeing team, and then the referee makes a completely opposite decision. I think VAR interferes too much in everything, they interfere in things where they have no right to intervene."

The Belgian goalkeeper also stressed Real Madrid's intention to leave Catalonia with three points. He described the fixture as balanced despite forms and styles differing between the teams, and said his side would travel to Camp Nou to win.

"El Clásico is always 50-50, even if one team goes into the match in better form. We are two completely different teams who play in different styles. Barcelona have become very attacking," Courtois added. "We are coming to Camp Nou on Sunday to win. We are confident, full of self-belief and want to make a strong impression. We will have to defend well and take every chance. Barcelona may be slightly better than us at the moment, but nothing is finished."

With tensions high in the build-up, the goalkeeper's remarks are certain to fuel debate about officiating and VAR ahead of one of football's most-watched fixtures.

Photo: press material from the event