Pedrerol challenges Real Madrid and calls on referees’ committee to explain derby decisions

Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid has continued to generate controversy, with presenter Josep Pedrerol criticising the club’s performance while demanding answers from the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) over decisions made in the Madrid derby.

The main focus has been on two first-half incidents involving Atletico Madrid players Kang-In Lee and Cuti Romero, who were not shown red cards. The decisions have prompted strong objections from Real Madrid and were examined in detail on Pedrerol’s programme, El Chiringuito.

Pedrerol questioned how the match might have developed had Atletico been reduced to nine players.

“Real Madrid must play better, but what if the referee was right? What if the referee had sent off two Atletico players? Certainly, everything would have changed,” he said.

However, Pedrerol did not use the refereeing controversy to excuse Real Madrid’s display. He said the team needed to produce a higher standard and lacked the intensity required against Atletico Madrid, who he believes have greater strength in challenges and physical contests.

The presenter also referred to a forceful tackle on Federico Valverde. He noted that the Real Madrid midfielder quickly got back to his feet and continued playing before linking the incident to what he described as Atletico’s approach to derby matches.

“He gets up as if nothing has happened. Football is also for the scrappers, and Atletico Madrid are better at that,” Pedrerol said.

Pedrerol rejected the idea that Real Madrid’s defeat could be explained solely by refereeing decisions. He nevertheless argued that disputed incidents should be addressed, insisting that acknowledging refereeing mistakes did not amount to adopting a victim’s mentality.

“Do not play the victim” was the message behind his criticism of Real Madrid’s reaction, while he also directed a demand at the CTA for an official explanation of the incidents that caused concern.

“They must announce publicly on Tuesday and say: ‘This is regrettable and we ask for forgiveness,’” Pedrerol said.

He also called on Fran Soto, the head of the Technical Committee of Referees, to comment specifically on the two incidents in which Atletico players were not sent off.

“I hope Fran Soto apologises for these two mistakes,” Pedrerol added.

He also noted that the derby contained other disputed decisions beyond the two challenges involving Kang-In Lee and Cuti Romero. The remarks came as debate continued over whether the refereeing decisions had influenced the outcome, alongside criticism of Real Madrid’s performance in the 2-1 loss.