Referees' technical committee issues assessment of officiating in Madrid derby

The referees' technical committee has issued its official assessment of the controversial refereeing decisions during the Atlético vs Real Madrid derby last week, during its public appearance today, Tuesday, to analyze the performance of the officiating crew.

The committee addressed three main cases, the most notable being Kang-In Lee's challenge on Federico Valverde, alongside Cristian Romero's incident with Jude Bellingham, and the decision to send off Dean Huijsen after a VAR intervention.

Regarding Cristian Romero's challenge on Jude Bellingham, the referees' technical committee clarified that the referee's decision to show the yellow card was correct, confirming that the intervention of the video assistant referee occurred due to confusion over the identity of the offending player.

The committee stated: "Cuti Romero, after playing the ball, steps on Bellingham's leg. There is intensity in the challenge that leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Miguel Ángel made an error in determining the direction of the foul. The step occurred in the same incident that the referee assessed. On the review screen, the referee deemed the step to be reckless."

The committee added in its ruling on the case: "It is a direct free kick and a yellow card. The Video Assistant Referee technology was correct in the intervention."

The most controversial incident was Kang-In Lee's challenge on Fede Valverde before the end of the first half, where the technical committee of referees confirmed that the Atlético player deserved to be sent off for dangerous violent play.

The committee explained: "Kang-In Lee rushed to intercept Federico Valverde's advance. He collided with his studs into his leg, with a twist in the joint and a significant risk of injury. A direct free kick and a red card."

The referees' technical committee emphasized that the referee's decision in this case was a clear mistake, stating: "A clear and obvious error by the referee. The Video Assistant Referee should have intervened."

The committee discussed the decision to call the referee to the review screen regarding Dean Huijsen's challenge on Giuliano Simeone, which resulted in a penalty and the sending off of a Real Madrid defender.

The committee stated: "Juliano has the advantage in the position, he is heading towards the goal with the ball under his control, Huijsen is holding him by the arm with no possibility to play the ball. It is a penalty and a red card. The VAR technology was correct in the intervention."

The referees' technical committee confirmed the yellow card received by Cuti Romero, while stating that Kang-In Lee should have been sent off. They also supported the decision to send off Huijsen after a VAR intervention.