Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Mourinho Slams Refereeing After Atletico Beat Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a football derby.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said the referee made important mistakes.
He brought pictures to his press conference showing two challenges he thought should have resulted in red cards.
One challenge involved Cristian Romero and Jude Bellingham.
The other involved Lee Kang-in and Federico Valverde.
Real Madrid later had Dean Huijsen sent off after a video review.
Atletico scored a penalty and then another goal, while Real scored once late.
Mourinho criticized the referee’s appointment and the video officials, but Atletico coach Diego Simeone said coaches should not cross the line of respect.
Atletico Madrid defeated 10-man Real Madrid 2-1 in Sunday’s derby.
Jose Mourinho displayed photographs of challenges he believed warranted red cards for Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in.
Dean Huijsen was sent off after VAR upgraded his yellow card for a challenge on Giuliano Simeone.
Alejandro Grimaldo scored a penalty, Jonathan David added Atletico’s second, and Antonio Rudiger scored late for Real Madrid.
Mourinho and Real Madrid criticized referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias and VAR, while Diego Simeone urged coaches to maintain respect.
- Who
- Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho, referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, VAR official Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez, and Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
- What
- Atletico Madrid won 2-1, while Mourinho and Real Madrid disputed several refereeing decisions.
- When
- Sunday; Huijsen was sent off in the 52nd minute, according to one article.
- Where
- The Madrid derby was played at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium.
- Why
- Atletico scored after Huijsen’s sending-off, while Mourinho argued that two Atletico challenges should also have produced red cards.
Mourinho and Real Madrid’s view
Officials’ decisions and Atletico’s response
First-half challenges
Mourinho and Real Madrid’s view
Mourinho said Cristian Romero’s studs-on-knee challenge on Jude Bellingham and Lee Kang-in’s challenge on Federico Valverde’s ankle were clear red-card offenses.
Officials’ decisions and Atletico’s response
Romero was booked after a VAR identity check, while no foul was given for Lee Kang-in’s challenge; the articles do not report a detailed response from the officials to Mourinho’s claims.
Dean Huijsen sending-off
Mourinho and Real Madrid’s view
Mourinho said playing 11 against 10 was difficult and argued the match would have been even harder if the other two challenges had produced red cards.
Officials’ decisions and Atletico’s response
VAR official Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez recommended a review of Huijsen’s challenge on Giuliano Simeone, after which the yellow card became a straight red for denying an obvious goalscoring chance.
Referee appointment and VAR
Mourinho and Real Madrid’s view
Mourinho criticized the Technical Committee of Referees for appointing Ortiz Arias, questioned his experience, and alleged that VAR had a history of decisions involving Real Madrid.
Officials’ decisions and Atletico’s response
Mourinho stopped short of alleging a setup and acknowledged that the officials may simply have made mistakes. Atletico coach Diego Simeone said coaches should not cross the line of respect.
- Result
- Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid
- Atletico scorers
- Alejandro Grimaldo scored from the spot and Jonathan David added a second.
- Real Madrid scorer
- Antonio Rudiger scored a late consolation goal.
- Sending-off
- Dean Huijsen’s yellow card was upgraded to a straight red after a VAR review.
- Disputed challenges
- Mourinho highlighted Cristian Romero’s challenge on Jude Bellingham and Lee Kang-in’s challenge on Federico Valverde.
- Standings
- Atletico moved second with 16 points, while Real Madrid were fourth with 15, six behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona.
- Official responses
- Real Madrid called the match officiating poor, while Diego Simeone called for respect from coaches.
