Madrid derby engulfed by VAR controversy as Atletico decisions spark debate

Atletico Madrid’s derby against Real Madrid was overshadowed by a series of disputed refereeing decisions, including a second-half penalty for the home side and the dismissal of Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen.

The incidents came during Sunday’s La Liga meeting at the Metropolitano, with Real Madrid players also appealing for Cuti Romero and Kang-in Lee to be sent off following challenges on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde respectively.

Archivo VAR, an account which analyses contentious refereeing decisions, said Huijsen’s red card was justified after he brought down Giuliano in the penalty area.

“Huijsen, without any contest for the ball, held Giuliano and brought him down inside the area,” it said. “It is a straight red card.”

The account added that referee Ortiz Arias initially showed Huijsen a yellow card before changing it to red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

However, Archivo VAR criticised the decision not to dismiss Cuti Romero following his challenge on Bellingham.

“VAR has turned the Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid match into a circus,” it said.

“Cuti Romero played the ball and then struck Bellingham’s knee with the upper part of his boot. It is a yellow card.”

The account questioned whether the video assistant referee had considered the possibility of mistaken identity when assessing the incident.

Real Madrid players had also called for a red card after Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Valverde, but the Atletico Madrid midfielder was not dismissed.

Archivo VAR described that decision as a “shocking error” by the video assistant referee at the Metropolitano.

“Kang-in Lee drove the studs of his boot into Valverde’s ankle, twisting it, without having any chance of playing the ball,” it said.

“It is a clear straight red card. Ortiz Arias did not even show a yellow card, while Trujillo Suarez ignored the incident and did not intervene.”

The three decisions were also highlighted in posts published by Archivo VAR on 20 September 2026. The account maintained that Huijsen’s dismissal was correct, while arguing that the challenges by Cuti Romero and Kang-in Lee should have received different sanctions.

The refereeing debate added further tension to a derby already marked by strong challenges and appeals from both sides.