Real Madrid have released a strongly worded statement following their defeat in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano, directing criticism at referee Ortiz Arias and several of his decisions during the match.
According to Real Madridβs statement, the club believes the game was heavily affected by what it described as βvery terrible refereeing,β particularly decisions involving incidents in the first half.
The club specifically highlighted an incident involving Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid claim that Romero stepped on Bellinghamβs knee but was not shown a red card, despite the referee going to the pitch-side monitor to review the incident.
Real Madrid also pointed to another challenge involving Kang-In Lee and Federico Valverde. The club argues that Lee should have been sent off after stepping on Valverdeβs left ankle.
βReal Madrid lose the derby at the Metropolitano in a match marked by Ortiz Ariasβ β ππππ ππππππππ πππ ππππππ,β the club stated.
The statement continued by emphasizing the importance of both incidents and their potential influence on the outcome of the match.
βHe failed to send off Cuti Romero in the first half for stepping on Bellinghamβs knee (despite going to the monitor to review the incident), nor did he send off Kang-In Lee for stepping on Valverdeβs left ankle,β Real Madrid wrote.
βBoth decisions had a big impact on the match, which was ultimately decided in AtlΓ©ticoβs favor in the second half.β
The clubβs statement is likely to fuel further debate surrounding the officiating in the derby, particularly over whether the two incidents warranted red cards and how those decisions influenced the flow of the game.
The defeat at the Metropolitano will now be followed by intense discussion among supporters, players and football analysts, with Real Madrid making it clear that they believe the refereeing decisions played a significant role in the outcome.
ππππ ππππππ ππππ ππππ πππππ ππππππππ πππππ. πππ πππ πππππππ ππ πππ πππ πππππ πππππππ πππππ ππ πππ πππ ππππππ πππππ.Β
