Real Madrid blames referee Ortiz Arias for 2-1 derby loss to Atletico
Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in the Metropolitano derby on Sunday, September 20, 2026, after referee Ortiz Arias showed a straight red card to Dean Huijsen and Atletico scored through Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David. Antonio Rudiger headed in a free-kick for a consolation goal. In an official statement released the same day, Real Madrid accused Arias of extremely poor refereeing, saying he failed to send off Cuti Romero for stepping on Jude Bellingham’s knee and Kang-In Lee for stepping on Fede Valverde’s ankle, despite reviewing both incidents on the monitor. The controversy fuels debate about refereeing consistency and VAR effectiveness in LaLiga, especially after Real now trail Barcelona by six points in the table. For Nigerian fans, such high-profile disputes affect perceptions of league fairness and can shape discussions on how officiating influences match outcomes, club morale, and viewer trust in the competition. Real Madrid sit six points behind leaders Barcelona, intensifying the title race as the season progresses. Supporters should consider whether missed calls like these justify stronger VAR intervention or are part of football’s inherent uncertainty. What do you think: Should LaLiga tighten VAR protocols to avoid such errors, or are refereeing mistakes an inevitable part of the game that clubs must accept?