The Real Madrid leadership and fans will be fuming after what transpired in the recent Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano, with the refereeing body in La Liga, the CTA, now admitting a "massive error" after failing to send off Lee Kang-in for a horrific tackle on the in-form midfielder Federico Valverde.
Key Points
- The CTA has conceded that Lee Kang-in's challenge on Federico Valverde should have resulted in a red card.
- Valverde suffered severe ankle trauma following the unpunished foul, which could impact his season.
- Real Madrid manager José Mourinho launched a scathing attack on the "poor" refereeing performance.
- The controversy has left Real Madrid in a challenging position in the early La Liga title race.
The Unpunished Tackle in the Madrid Derby
In a turn of events that has sparked outrage across La Liga, the CTA has confirmed that Atlético Madrid's Lee Kang-in should have been dismissed for his dangerous challenge on Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
Despite referee Ortiz Arias having a clear view of the incident, no foul was called, while VAR also opted not to intervene, allowing the game to continue.
The officiating error left Valverde with significant trauma to his left ankle, potentially sidelining one of Real Madrid's key performers. The incident has also intensified debate over refereeing standards in Spanish football.
Mourinho's Scathing Assessment of the Refereeing
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho was left furious after the match, directing his criticism at the officials. He publicly questioned both Ortiz Arias and VAR official Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez following the team's defeat.
"The referee had no experience to officiate a derby. He's 41 years old. He's a poor referee who's only ever done minor matches," Mourinho said.
He also referred to Trujillo Suarez's alleged "history with Real Madrid", adding another layer to the controversy surrounding the officiating.
VAR Controversy Adds to Madrid Derby Frustration
The Madrid derby also featured other contentious refereeing decisions, including the eventual VAR-assisted red card for Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen.
Meanwhile, the CTA accepted Arias's decision not to send off Cristian Romero for a dangerous tackle on Jude Bellingham, although it described the decision as "confusing."
The different outcomes have added to the scrutiny surrounding the use of VAR and the consistency of refereeing decisions in the match.
Valverde Injury Adds to Real Madrid's Problems
For Real Madrid, the CTA's admission offers little comfort, with Federico Valverde now facing an uncertain spell on the sidelines. Valverde has been a key part of Mourinho's team this season, featuring in every match and scoring in the Champions League. His injury leaves a significant gap in midfield at a time when the squad is already being tested.
The derby defeat also leaves Real Madrid six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, increasing the pressure on Mourinho's side early in the campaign. Real Madrid will look to respond after the international break when they host Villarreal on October 10, before travelling to face Roma in the Champions League.
Valverde's injury could also affect his availability for Uruguay's upcoming friendlies, leaving national team boss Diego Forlan with another concern ahead of the international fixtures.
