Referee Gets Injured, Replaced By Fourth Official During La Liga Game Between Real Madrid And Sevilla

A match referee had to be replaced in a LaLiga match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. The unusual event transpired in the second half when the on-field referee, Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos, picked up an injury on the calf muscle of his left leg while running. He tried to continue for a while before informing the fourth official about the discomfort. Escuderos underwent some basic treatment on the sidelines but could not make it to the field again. As per the protocol, the fourth official, Fernandez Buergo, then took charge of the on-field duties and went on to officiate the remainder of the game.

In the early phase of the match, Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos raised the ire of the home crowd due to a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision. Real Madrid could have taken a lead in the tenth minute when Lucas Vazquez found the back of the net by capitalising on a fine assist from Vinicius Junior. Escuderos rewatched the build-up on the pitchside monitor and disallowed the goal, considering an earlier foul by Nacho on Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri.

Real Madrid did manage to claim a full three points from the home fixture but they had to wait until the 81st minute to find the breakthrough. The hosts mostly dominated the proceedings while Sevilla got some good chances in both halves.

Youssef En-Nesyri missed an easy opportunity in the eighth minute when he failed to connect a cross by Isaac Romero from the point-blank range. Luka Modric ultimately took advantage of a loose clearance and slotted the ball home with a thunderous strike.

Earlier on Saturday, a match referee had to be taken off owing to an injury issue during a Serie A match between Bologna and Verona. The game was interrupted only three minutes following the kick-off as the on-field official, Rosario Abiso, sprained his ankle. He immediately sought medical attention before limping off the pitch, with fourth official Dzakomo Kamplone coming in as a substitute.

A similar incident occurred two days later during another Serie A fixture between Lecce and Inter Milan. Referee, Daniele Doveri, could not continue in the second half as he was dealing with an ankle problem. After the break, the fourth referee, Niccolo Baroni, replaced him and went on to serve the role for the remainder of the game.