In the aftermath of Madrid’s derby, the city’s familiar football fault lines opened again, with Real Madrid TV directing its anger not only at the defeat to Atlético but at the officials and the wider competition structure it believes is working against the club.
Atlético won after Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men when Dean Huijsen was dismissed for conceding a penalty on Giuliano Simeone. Real Madrid, however, argued that Atlético should also have lost two players before half-time, citing challenges involving Cristian “Cuti” Romero and Kang-in Lee.
The club channel questioned how the match might have unfolded had Atlético been left with nine men. It said many Madrid supporters would feel like walking away from the competition, claiming that the pressure had been increased rather than hidden. Real Madrid TV also referred to referee Ortiz Arias and alleged that he had appeared overly friendly with Barcelona players only weeks earlier.
Its language became still more forceful as it attacked the domestic game’s leadership. The broadcaster described the situation as “disgusting”, accused LaLiga under Javier Tebas of tolerating it, and said the season’s refereeing controversy had gone beyond all limits.
Real Madrid TV pointed in particular to Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Federico Valverde. It claimed that, when Valverde rose to protest, the referee addressed the midfielder in an arrogant and confrontational manner. The channel also used an extreme comparison, saying a directive allowing Madrid’s opponents to take the field armed would be the next step.
It concluded that Madrid are being judged by a different standard and are not being allowed to compete on equal terms. The broadcaster extended its criticism to both LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation, adding that it doubted an Atlético player would have been sent off in the opposite penalty area under circumstances comparable to Huijsen’s dismissal. In its view, the officiating had made any conventional football discussion of the derby secondary.
