Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho expressed his discontent with Spain's refereeing committee following his team's 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in a La Liga derby match at the Metropolitano Stadium on September 20, 2026. The defeat dropped Real Madrid to third place in the league table, six points behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona. Mourinho was particularly unhappy with two first-half incidents involving Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in, which he believed warranted red cards.
The incidents in question involved Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, and Mourinho argued that both deserved to be dismissed. He presented a printed sheet with images of the challenges to the press conference, stating that the story of the match was evident. Mourinho directed his criticism at the Technical Committee of Referees, questioning the appointment of referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias for the high-profile fixture. Ortiz Arias, 41, had never officiated as an international referee, according to Mourinho.
Mourinho also raised concerns over the appointment of VAR official Daniel Trujillo, claiming that the official had a history involving Real Madrid. He suggested that the combination of the referee and VAR official contributed to a strange refereeing situation during the derby. This criticism comes against the backdrop of Real Madrid's previous complaints about Spanish officiating, including a formal complaint to the Spanish football federation in February 2025.
In the February 2025 complaint, Real Madrid described the refereeing system as "rigged" and "completely discredited". The club's television channel has also regularly criticized refereeing decisions involving the team. Despite the defeat, Mourinho praised his players for their first-half performance, saying they showed quality and personality despite creating few notable chances.
Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Dean Huijsen fouled Giuliano Simeone inside the area, resulting in a penalty. Mourinho stated that he had not seen the incident clearly enough to comment on Huijsen's red card. He maintained that Real Madrid's title hopes remain alive, provided that the team is allowed to compete on equal terms with their rivals.
Mourinho emphasized that if Real Madrid is allowed to compete fairly, there is still a long way to go in the season. He expressed his concerns about the impact of refereeing decisions on the team's performance. Atletico Madrid secured the win, moving up the league table.
The defeat was a difficult pill to swallow for Real Madrid, but Mourinho remained optimistic about the team's chances. He called for a level playing field, ensuring that Real Madrid can compete without the influence of biased refereeing decisions. The team's focus will now shift to their next match, as they look to bounce back from the derby defeat.
Key points
- Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho criticizes Spanish refereeing committee for 2-1 La Liga derby defeat to Atletico Madrid
- Mourinho questions referee appointments and VAR official, citing concerns over fairness and consistency
- Real Madrid's title hopes remain alive, provided the team can compete on equal terms with rivals
