Villarreal president Fernando Roig hasclaimed he saw referee Gil Manzano and his assistants leaving theEstadio de la CeramicaStadium with Real Madrid "merchandise".
Specifically, Roig says that the trio were in possession of Real Madrid emblazoned bags, following his side's 3-2 home defeat onSunday night.
Roig alleged after the game as quoted by AS: "Manzano and his assistants left the ground with Real Madrid bags. That's not right, it seems to me."
There has been no photographic evidence to back up the billionaire businessman's claim, and it is not clear whether he actually saw anybody at all, which could meana fine and a slap on the wrist by the Spanish FA for implying bias on the part of the officials if the comment was tongue-in-cheek - as Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna experienced with the English FAin January.
Roig was likely not in the best of moods upon hearing the final whistle after Real Madrid were awarded a controversial penalty as Villarreal led the game 2-1.
Midfielder Bruno was adjudged to have moved his hand towards the ball in the penalty area, and Cristiano Ronaldo converted the resulting spot kick.
Roig continued: "You all know about this. It didn't hit him totally on the hand, but on the shoulder and the arm. It came from a rebound off a teammate. I don't think it was a penalty.
I don't know if he sees yellow better than white. [The penalty decision] killed the game. It is necessary to clarify if a ricochet is a penalty or not. I do not think so.
"It was a great reaction [by Madrid], but we're not talking about an unfair penalty that has allowed them to come back. I have not said anything to Gil Manzano."
The result has dented Villarreal's top four hopes and in turn given Madrid the advantage once again the title race.