'They've been doing it for 120 years!' - Gerard Pique blasts Real Madrid for 'smokescreen' criticism of La Liga referees as Barcelona legend claims all their success 'comes via the chequebook'

League leaders Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Espanyol on Saturday and responded by filing a complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Los Blancos hit out at a "completely discredited refereeing system" and claimed "decisions against Real Madrid have reached a level of manipulation and adulteration of the competition that can no longer be ignored".

Refereeing has been in the spotlight all season across Europe with teams regularly blasting officiating standards. Pique feels it's not a new situation for Real Madrid to launch an attack, particularly after a bad result that has breathed fresh life into the title race this season.

He told the media at a publicity event at La Liga's headquarters: "It’s a smokescreen. They’ve been doing it for 120 years and when they lose they have to talk about something else. That’s the way referees are and that’s the way they’re going to be forever. They are going to be wrong or not. Whether there is VAR or not. Madrid have always done this media pressure thing."

Pique also took a swipe at Madrid for their willingness to make Galactico signings, while Barca have often relied on talents from their famed La Masia academy. He added: “There are many [young talents in La Liga]. In the case of Barca, it is from La Masia, and with Madrid, it comes via the chequebook."

Real Madrid's defeat means they top the table by just one point from Atletico Madrid and four from Barcelona in third place. However, there is likely to be another twist at the weekend as Real face Atletico in the Madrid derby, while Barcelona head to Sevilla and will hope to reduce the gap to the top further.