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NAIJASPORTAINMENT BLOG
Sunday, 20th September 2026
REAL MADRID BLAME REFEREE AFTER 2–1 MADRID DERBY DEFEAT TO ATLÉTICO
Real Madrid have launched a strong public criticism of the refereeing following their 2–1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s Madrid derby at the Metropolitano.
In a match that produced several controversial incidents, Real Madrid published a strongly worded match report on their official website, arguing that referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias made key decisions that influenced the outcome of the derby.
MADRID QUESTION TWO FIRST-HALF INCIDENTS
Real Madrid specifically highlighted two incidents involving Atlético players.
The first involved Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham. The Atlético defender’s studs made contact with Bellingham’s knee in the first half. Ortiz Arias reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor but ultimately showed Romero a yellow card rather than a red.
Real Madrid also questioned the decision involving Kang-in Lee and Federico Valverde, after Lee’s studs made contact with Valverde’s left ankle. No card was shown to the Atlético player, and VAR did not send the referee to review the incident.
The club stated that both decisions had a significant influence on the match.
REAL MADRID THEN LOST A PLAYER
The controversy intensified in the second half when Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was sent off following a VAR review after a challenge on Giuliano Simeone.
Atlético were awarded a penalty, which Álex Grimaldo converted to put the hosts ahead. Jonathan David then doubled Atlético’s advantage before Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid in the 89th minute.
Atlético held on to win the derby 2–1.
MOURINHO ALSO CRITICISES OFFICIATING
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho also expressed his frustration after the match, displaying images of the two first-half incidents involving Romero and Lee.
Mourinho argued that Real Madrid could have been playing against nine Atlético players if both incidents had resulted in red cards. Atlético coach Diego Simeone, meanwhile, urged respect when discussing refereeing decisions.
Former referee Iturralde González also assessed the two incidents and said both challenges were worthy of red cards, although refereeing opinions are not unanimous. Another former international referee, Barrenechea Montero, agreed that Lee should have been booked but considered other decisions by Ortiz Arias correct, including the penalty and Huijsen’s dismissal.
Real Madrid’s official position is therefore clear: the club believes the refereeing decisions played a major role in the derby defeat, while independent assessments of the individual incidents have differed.
By OLAWALE HAMZAT TOP STRIKER
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