Spanish referees’ committee admits Kang-in Lee error but backs Romero decision in Madrid derby

The Technical Committee of Referees in Spain has ruled that the referee and video assistant referee made a clear mistake by failing to send off Kang-in Lee in the Madrid derby, but defended the decision to show Cuti Romero only a yellow card for his challenge on Jude Bellingham.

The committee published its assessment of the two most contentious incidents from Atletico de Madrid’s match against Real Madrid on Tuesday, following criticism from the Spanish club’s board and manager Jose Mourinho. Real Madrid had argued that both incidents should have resulted in red cards.

Romero challenge defended

The first incident involved Argentine defender Christian Romero and Bellingham. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias initially awarded a foul against Bellingham and showed him a yellow card, before the video assistant referee intervened to inform him that he had identified the wrong player as the offender.

Ortiz Arias then changed the booking to Romero. Although Real Madrid called for a red card, the refereeing committee said the decision to issue a yellow was correct.

“Romero stepped on Bellingham’s leg after playing the ball. There was a degree of force that left considerable room for interpretation,” the committee said.

“The referee made a mistake in identifying the direction of the foul. The stamp occurred during the same incident that the referee had assessed. After reviewing the footage on the pitchside monitor, he considered the stamp reckless.

“The correct decision was a direct free-kick and a yellow card. The video assistant referee was correct to intervene.”

That assessment differs from the view of several refereeing experts. Former Portuguese referee Bruno Paixao was the latest to tell Kooora that the incident warranted a red card.

Lee should have been sent off

The committee did, however, acknowledge a clear error in the other major incident, involving South Korea international Kang-in Lee and Federico Valverde shortly before half-time.

It concluded that Lee should have been dismissed for his challenge on the Real Madrid midfielder.

“Kang-in Lee moved to stop Federico Valverde’s progress, and his studs struck the player’s leg, twisting the joint and creating a high risk of injury,” the committee said.

It stated that the correct decision should have been “a direct free-kick and a red card”, describing the failure to make that call as “a clear and obvious error by the referee”.

The committee added that the video assistant referee should have intervened.

Huijsen red card confirmed

The committee also reviewed the video assistant referee’s intervention that led to the dismissal of Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen following his challenge on Giuliano Simeone.

It confirmed that the red card was correct, explaining that Simeone had gained an advantage, was moving towards goal and had the ball under control. Huijsen held his arm when there was no possibility of challenging for the ball.

“The correct decision was a penalty and a red card. The video assistant referee was correct to intervene,” the committee said.