Madrid’s derby at the Metropolitano has continued beyond Sunday’s final whistle, with Spanish football’s refereeing authorities publishing the VAR exchanges behind two decisions that altered the disciplinary picture of Atlético de Madrid’s meeting with Real Madrid.
The released recordings cover the interventions involving Atlético defender Cristian Romero and Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen. In both cases, referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias changed his initial disciplinary decision after being called to the monitor by VAR official Daniel Jesús Trujillo.
The audio was made public through the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga’s social-media channels, offering an account of why the on-field calls were revised in one of the season’s most scrutinised fixtures in the Spanish capital.
Romero card corrected after identity error
The first review arrived in the 39th minute, following Romero’s challenge on Jude Bellingham. The initial decision had seen Bellingham shown a yellow card, while Real Madrid argued that Romero’s action merited a dismissal.
Trujillo did not summon Ortiz Arias to assess a possible red card, however. The VAR official identified what he considered an error in assigning the caution, telling the referee: “I recommend an on-field review to assess a possible error — an identity confusion.”
In the replay, Trujillo pointed out that Romero had stepped on the Real Madrid midfielder while Bellingham had possession of the ball. Ortiz Arias then overturned the original booking.
“I will cancel the yellow card for the Madrid player and show a yellow card to the Atlético player,” the referee said. Bellingham’s caution was therefore removed and Romero was booked instead.
Huijsen dismissal followed penalty review
A second VAR intervention came six minutes after the interval. Ortiz Arias had awarded Atlético a penalty after Huijsen held Giuliano Simeone, initially punishing the Real Madrid defender with a yellow card.
VAR then asked the referee to revisit whether the incident amounted to denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Trujillo’s recommendation was for a review of a possible red card under DOGSO criteria, noting that the opponent had been held without a challenge for the ball.
At the monitor, Ortiz Arias requested a wider angle to judge Thibaut Courtois’ position and whether the Real Madrid goalkeeper could have reached the ball.
Having studied the sequence, the referee concluded that Courtois was too far away to intervene and that Huijsen had stopped Simeone without attempting to play the ball.
“The goalkeeper is not close enough to get there. There is no challenge for the ball,” Ortiz Arias said before confirming the outcome: “I will change the yellow to a red and keep the penalty.” Huijsen was subsequently sent off.
