CTA admits refereeing error in Madrid derby after Valverde injury
La Liga's refereeing body has acknowledged that Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in should have been sent off for a challenge that injured Real Madrid's Federico Valverde.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Anish Morarji from St Albans, England
The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has officially acknowledged a major officiating error during the Madrid derby. The committee admitted that Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in should have been shown a red card for his dangerous challenge on Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde.
Match official Ortiz Arias failed to penalize the tackle, and VAR officials chose not to intervene. Valverde suffered severe trauma to his left ankle as a result of the collision. Real Madrid's medical staff confirmed the extent of the injury, fueling the club's frustration over the lack of on-field action.
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. Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was incensed by the officiating, aiming his criticism at both Arias and VAR official Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez. Mourinho also condemned the decision to let Cristian Romero escape a red card for a dangerous tackle on Jude Bellingham, dismissing the committee's defense of the incident as confusing.
The injury to Valverde is a significant blow to the team, as he has been an indispensable figure for Mourinho throughout the current campaign. With the side already trailing in the title race, the loss of their key midfielder leaves a void in the middle of the park.