Real Madrid launched a new attack on the Spanish football authorities after it was revealed that Antony's ban had been rescinded in time to play them.

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Real Madrid continue to fight Spanish officialsAngry Antony can play them after red cardClub believe system is rigged against themFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Manchester United loanee was sent off against Getafe on Sunday for a rash lunge but will not face a ban after the Spanish federation overturned the red card. That has prompted fury from Real, who told that there is an "eagerness to go hunting against Madrid". They play Betis next.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Real's attack continues a war of words between the club and referees. La Liga's champions sent a letter of complaint when Espanyol's Carlos Romero was not sent off for a foul on Kylian Mbappe and scored the winner against them earlier this month, while there was also unhappiness after Jude Bellingham was sent off against Osasuna for dissent. Los Blancos have alleged that referees are actively manipulating matches against them.

WHAT REAL MADRID SAID

A Real Madrid delegate told : "It can't be, in their eagerness to go hunting against Madrid, they are even skipping legal arguments. Removing a red card that has been clearly assessed by the refereeing body and well explained in the report is as if the referees from now on are going to re-referee the matches. They don't hold back, they have done it with the desire to hurt us. They have declared war on us and used all imaginable means, even if they expose the very referees that they claim to defend so much. Shameful."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Real Madrid play that game against Real Betis on Saturday, currently sitting second in the table behind Barcelona on goal difference. They then begin their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid next Tuesday.