Real Madrid protests refereeing after loss to Atletico

On September 20, 2026, Real Madrid suffered a 1-2 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the capital derby. Following the match, the club’s official channel, Real Madrid TV, launched a fierce protest against referee Ortiz Arias and LaLiga, stating that it would no longer analyze tactical aspects of games because they have lost all meaning.

The club officially complained about the referee’s performance, specifically citing two missed red cards for Atletico players in the first half. They highlighted a 35th-minute challenge by Cuti Romero on Jude Bellingham and a 44th-minute foul by Kang-in Lee on Federico Valverde, claiming both warranted expulsions. Real Madrid also noted that they finished the match with ten men after Dean Huijsen conceded a penalty against Giuliano in the 50th minute. The club's harsh public criticism, which included a statement suggesting it would be safer for opponents to play with weapons, marks a significant escalation in their ongoing grievances regarding officiating in the Spanish league.