AS: Spain's Referees Committee Says Lee Kang-in Should Have Been Sent Off and Dean Huijsen's Red Card Was Correct

According to AS, there were multiple controversial decisions in the Madrid derby that sparked heated debate. Spain's referees committee (CTA) internally believes Lee Kang-in's foul on Bellerín should have resulted in a red card, while Huijsen's red card was clearly justified.

The match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid continues to generate widespread controversy. The debate over multiple contentious decisions is expected to continue for days. Many are waiting for the "Review Time" program, hoping for an explanation from the CTA. However, AS understands that the internal organization has acknowledged several errors occurred during the match. They believe Lee Kang-in should have been sent off with a red card, and they also consider Huijsen's red card, shown after VAR intervention, to be clearly justified.

Ortiz Arías missed the opportunity the CTA gave him on Sunday. He was entrusted to officiate this important derby—the most important of La Liga—which was a reward for his excellent performance last season and the start of this season. However, this match proved to be beyond his capabilities. He made incorrect decisions in three controversial calls on the field, two of which required VAR intervention. The first incident was not initially about a red card analysis, but rather due to misidentifying the player. VAR intervened because the Madrid referee incorrectly called a foul on Jude Bellingham and gave him a yellow card. However, the VAR assistant helped him realize that it was actually Cristiano Romero, the Real Madrid player, who committed the foul and could have received a red card. In the end, Ortiz Arías decided not to issue a red card. The CTA excused the referee for this decision, citing the chaotic circumstances at the time.

Soon after, an even more serious error occurred. Lee Kang-in made a harsh tackle on Bellerín, which the referee did not call a foul on, and VAR did not intervene to check. The CTA believes this was a foul that should have resulted in a red card. This was one of the most serious errors in the match.

Meanwhile, they unanimously agreed that Huijsen's foul on Julián Álvarez, which resulted in a penalty for Real Madrid, should have been a red card. Ortiz Arías awarded the penalty but did not show a red card for the foul, despite the Real Madrid player pulling his opponent and not playing the ball. On this occasion, VAR corrected the error.