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Study shows Real Madrid benefit most from penalty kicks in La Liga history

Xinhua, December 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Data published by Spain's center for Investigation History and Statistics of Spanish Football (CIEFE) showed that Real Madrid are a side who receive the most 'help' from referees in La Liga.

   Many fans have long complained that the giants from the capital receive a bit extra help from referee and to an extent a study published by the CIEFE will confirm those thoughts as they show that in the 85 seasons of the Spanish Football League, Real Madrid have been given more penalties than any other team.

   They have been given 487 penalties in favor, while FC Barcelona have been awarded 460, Atletico Madrid, 437, Valencia 414 and Athletic Club Bilbao 373.

   It is no surprise these five clubs are at the top of the list as Real Madrid, Barca and Athletic Club have spent the entire 85 year history of la Liga in the top flight, although Athletic fans may wonder why their side have received over 100 penalties less that the 'big two'.

   When it comes to penalties against the figures change significantly: Valencia head that list with 360, followed by Espanyol with 358, Athletic Club with 342 and Barcelona with 332.

   Real Madrid are ninth in the list with 'just' 267 penalties awarded against them; a quite importance difference when compared with Athletic and Barca.

   In total 6,514 penalties have been awarded in La Liga of which 4,830 end in goal and the remaining 1,684 were either saved by the keeper or sent wide of the target.

   The most effective goalkeeper against spot kicks is Valencia's Diego Alves who has stopped an incredible 44 percent of the penalties taken against him.  Endi