Real Madrid Blame Referee Ortiz Arias for Derby Defeat

Real Madrid have criticised referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias following their 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s Madrid derby at the Metropolitano, pointing to two first-half incidents involving Atlético players.

In a statement published after the match, the Spanish giants said, “Real Madrid lose the derby at the Metropolitano in a match marked by Ortiz Arias’ VERY TERRIBLE REFEREEING”.

The club accused the referee of failing to send off Cuti Romero after he stepped on Jude Bellingham’s knee, despite Ortiz Arias reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Real Madrid also criticised the decision not to dismiss Kang-In Lee for a challenge on Federico Valverde’s left ankle.

“He failed to send off Cuti Romero in the first half for stepping on Bellingham’s knee (despite going to the monitor to review the incident), nor did he send off Kang-In Lee for stepping on Valverde’s left ankle,” the club said.

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“Both decisions had an impact on the match, which was ultimately decided in Atlético’s favor in the second half.”

The controversy came after an incident involving Romero and Bellingham was reviewed by VAR, with the referee ultimately showing the Atlético defender a yellow card. Lee’s challenge on Valverde later went without a booking or VAR intervention. Former referee Iturralde González subsequently said both incidents were worthy of red cards.

Real Madrid were later reduced to 10 men when Dean Huijsen was sent off after bringing down Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area. Atlético converted the resulting penalty through Álex Grimaldo before Jonathan David doubled the hosts’ advantage.

Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid late in the match, but Atlético held on to secure a 2-1 victory.

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho also criticised the officiating after the match, displaying images of the two first-half incidents and arguing that his side could have been playing against nine men if both Atlético players had been sent off.