“Refereelona Redux”: Mallorca Fans Rage at Barça in Controversial Opener
Date: August 16, 2025
Fixture: RCD Mallorca vs FC Barcelona
Location: Estadi Son Moix, Mallorca
The 2025/26 La Liga season kicked off with fireworks — not from the players, but from the terraces. RCD Mallorca supporters unleashed fury on the officials and Barcelona after two first-half red cards and a pair of disputed goals saw the defending champions race ahead. The chants were deafening, the atmosphere poisonous, and the word on everyone’s lips: “Refereelona.”
Controversial Calls Spark Outrage
By halftime, Mallorca were down to nine men. A second yellow card for Giovanni González and a straight red for Samú Costa left the home fans seething. To make matters worse, Barça’s second goal came seconds after a head injury and questions over whether the ball had gone out of play. The referee waved play on. VAR stayed silent. The scoreboard showed 0–2.
“It felt like the match was already decided — and not by the players. We’ve seen this script before.” — Local radio caller
The Chants Heard Around Spain
The fury spilled from the stands in waves of chanting. The most common refrain echoed across Son Moix:
(“F**k Barça, F**k Barça!”)
Some supporters didn’t even wait for halftime, leaving in protest. For those who stayed, the chant grew into accusations of favoritism, with the revival of a phrase that’s haunted Barcelona for years: “Refereelona.” The nickname suggests Barça’s dominance has often been aided more by referees than football brilliance.
A History of “Refereelona”
This isn’t the first time rival fans have accused Barcelona of benefiting from soft penalties, ignored fouls, or overlooked offsides. The term “Refereelona” became infamous in the late 2000s during heated clashes with Chelsea and Madrid. Saturday’s fiery opener brought the word back into headlines and onto social media, trending within minutes of kickoff.
Barcelona’s Response
Publicly, Barça players and staff brushed off the noise, insisting the better team won. Privately, they know chants like these will follow them all season. For Mallorca fans, however, the anger remains raw — and their chants may be remembered long after the points are tallied.
Why It Matters
In the age of instant clips and trending hashtags, supporter chants shape the narrative as much as post-match press conferences. “Refereelona” isn’t just a cry of injustice — it’s a rallying call for underdogs across Spain who believe the deck is stacked against them.
Sources: Match reports from Estadi Son Moix (August 16, 2025), fan footage, and Spanish media coverage documenting chants and crowd reaction.
Written for Soccer Chants & Songs — capturing the voices that make football more than just a game.