CTA: Kang-in Lee should have been sent off in Madrid derby
The Technical Committee says referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias made clear errors and VAR should have intervened in several incidents.
On 22.09.2026 at 22:17, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) issued a formal assessment of the Madrid derby in La Liga, concluding that Atletico Madrid's Kang-in Lee should have been shown a direct red card for a tackle on Real Madrid's Fede Valverde.
In its review broadcast on the committee's programme, CTA described the referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias' handling of the incident as a clear error and said VAR should have intervened. The committee said Lee "throws himself to prevent Fede Valverde's pass. There is contact with the opponent's foot, twisting of the ankle and a high risk of injury. Direct free kick and red card. Clear and obvious error by the referee, VAR should have intervened."
CTA noted that Kang-in Lee stepped on Valverde's ankle with his studs; Real Madrid reported that the Uruguayan finished the match with a third‑degree sprain. Ortiz Arias did not show a card to the South Korean player during the game, and the VAR team did not recommend a review.
Additional incidents reviewed
The committee also examined the clash between Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham in the same match. CTA classified that situation as carrying a "high interpretative burden" and explained that Romero received a yellow after VAR intervention. In its statement CTA said: "The ball is contested between two players. After playing the ball, Cuti Romero steps on Jude Bellingham's foot. Intensity with a high interpretative burden. Miguel Angel confuses the nature of the foul. The foul occurs in the same incident that the referee assessed. VAR recommends review for wrong identity. On the monitor, the referee determines the foul as reckless. Direct free kick and yellow card. VAR intervenes correctly due to wrong identity."
CTA pointed to a further mistake by Ortiz Arias involving Din Hausen and Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area, saying the referee should have shown a red card rather than yellow, and that VAR intervened correctly to change the decision. The committee commented: "Giuliano Simeone enters the penalty area with advantage, toward goal and with control of the ball. Hausen grabs him by the arm, with no possibility to play the ball. The causal link is clear. Clear and obvious error by the referee, VAR intervened correctly."
The committee's conclusions reinforce calls for tighter application of VAR protocols in high‑stakes fixtures, and they will likely reignite debate in Spain about on‑field protection and refereeing standards in El Derbi.
Photo: press material from the event
