Real Madrid has strongly criticized the refereeing following their 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid. On their official platforms, the Madrid club condemned a "disastrous performance by the referee" which they believe influenced the outcome of the derby. Coach José Mourinho also expressed his dissatisfaction after the match.
Real Madrid lost 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Saturday night, but they heavily questioned referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias after the match. A report on the game, titled "A disastrous performance by the referee influenced the outcome of the derby", was published on the official website.
Real Madrid highlighted several situations. In the first half, Cristian Romero violently tackled Jude Bellingham's knee. Referee Ortiz Arias reviewed the incident on the screen after consulting VAR, but ultimately decided to issue only a yellow card to the Atlético defender. According to Real, Kang-in Lee should also have been sent off after a foul on Federico Valverde.
After the break, controversy erupted again following a foul by Dean Huijsen on Giuliano Simeone. The defender initially received a yellow card, and Atlético was awarded a penalty. After a VAR intervention, Ortiz Arias reviewed the screen again and changed the yellow card to a red card. Alejandro Grimaldo then successfully converted the penalty.
At the post-match press conference, Mourinho joined in the criticism of his club. "All of this has been very strange." The Portuguese particularly emphasized Ortiz Arias's appointment.
"He is not an international referee, which makes one think he doesn't really belong to the elite. This poor man came here and couldn't handle the pressure."
