Atletico Madrid did not stay silent after Real Madrid’s manager, Jose Mourinho, publicly lambasted the officiating in the recent Madrid derby. The Portuguese coach arrived at the post‑match press conference clutching printed sheets that, in his view, demonstrated two clear instances where Atletico players should have been shown red cards. Mourinho accused the match officials of making decisive errors that influenced the 2‑1 defeat suffered by his side. In response, Atletico took to its X (formerly Twitter) platform on Monday with two separate posts.
The first post featured a short video of a printer spitting out a sheet of paper emblazoned with the hashtag "#StopAcosoArbitalYA," which translates to “stop referee harassment now.” The second post displayed a still of Mourinho at the press conference, again overlaid with the same hashtag, signalling the club’s displeasure with the criticism directed at the referee. Mourinho’s grievances centred on two particular challenges. He argued that Atletico defender Cristian Romero should have been expelled after a stamping motion on Real’s Jude Bellingham, and that Lee Kang‑in’s challenge on Federico Valverde also warranted a dismissal. Both incidents occurred before Real were reduced to ten men just five minutes after the interval.
Mourinho held up photographs of the two tackles during his press briefing, launching a nearly five‑minute tirade that began with the remark, "We could skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here." He insisted that each of the incidents merited a straight red card and speculated that, had the officials acted accordingly, the second half would have seen an 11‑against‑nine scenario rather than the 11‑against‑10 that unfolded. The match itself saw Real defender Dean Huijsen sent off after bringing down Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area, allowing Alejandro Grimaldo to convert from close range. Six minutes later, Jonathan David doubled Atletico’s lead, and Antonio Rudiger later headed in a free‑kick to narrow the gap for Real. Despite the setback, Mourinho praised his players, saying he could only "hug" them after what he described as a first half "full of class and great character." However, his commendation was quickly followed by sharp criticism of referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias and the officials responsible for his appointment.
Mourinho questioned the referee’s credentials, noting that Ortiz Arias, aged 41, lacked any international experience and suggesting that his appointment was not due to merit. He added that the referee appeared overwhelmed by the pressure, which he likened to the intense atmosphere of the 1980s, a rarity in modern stadiums. When asked about Atletico’s six‑point deficit behind Barcelona, Mourinho responded pointedly, "If they just leave us in peace and let us compete on a level playing field with everyone else, we've still got a long way to go." He stopped short of alleging a conspiracy, saying, "I don't want to go so far as to say this was set up... I want to believe that they simply made a mistake." Real Madrid also released an official match report after full‑time, echoing many of Mourinho’s points.
The La Liga side described the defeat as "marked by poor officiating" and specifically singled out Ortiz Arias for failing to send off Cristian Romero after the stamp on Bellingham, despite a video review. According to the report, the referee initially booked Romero but, after consulting with assistant referee Trujillo Suárez and reviewing the footage, rescinded the decision and issued only a yellow card.
The report further claimed that nine minutes later the referee again erred by not penalising Lee Kang‑in for a studs‑on‑ankle challenge on Valverde, noting that Ortiz Arias was close enough to the incident to have seen it but took no action. Both clubs have thus entered a public dispute over the quality of the officiating, each accusing the other of unfairness.
Atletico’s social‑media campaign underscores a broader frustration within the team and its supporters, who feel that the referee’s performance unfairly tipped the balance in favour of Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Mourinho’s outspoken criticism reflects his long‑standing reputation for challenging referees when he perceives decisions to be unjust. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the use of video‑assistant referee (VAR) technology in Spanish football. While VAR is intended to correct clear and obvious errors, critics argue that its implementation can be inconsistent, leading to confusion and resentment among players, coaches, and fans.
In this instance, the replay of Romero’s challenge was reviewed, yet the outcome—issuing only a caution—did not satisfy Mourinho or Atletico’s expectations. As the season progresses, both teams will need to focus on their upcoming fixtures.
Atletico, currently trailing Barcelona in the league table, must find a way to secure points while navigating what they perceive as biased officiating. Real, on the other hand, will look to bounce back from the defeat and address the disciplinary issues that saw them finish the match with ten men. The incident also serves as a reminder of the intense pressure referees face in high‑stakes matches such as the Madrid derby. The scrutiny from managers, media, and supporters can be overwhelming, and any perceived mistake is magnified.
Whether the governing bodies will take steps to improve referee training, appointment procedures, or VAR protocols remains to be seen. In the meantime, Atletico’s campaign to "stop referee harassment" continues, and Mourinho’s vocal criticism adds fuel to the ongoing conversation about fairness and accountability in football officiating.
The debate is likely to persist until clearer guidelines and more consistent application of technology can reassure all parties involved that the outcomes on the pitch are decided by the players, not by questionable refereeing decisions.