Spanish Referees' Committee: Kang-in Lee Should Have Been Sent Off, But Cuti Romero's Yellow Card Was Correct

The long-awaited analysis following the Madrid derby is now complete. The Spanish Referees' Technical Committee has issued a public statement to review the officiating decisions in the match between Atlético and Real Madrid. Two key incidents were scrutinized. The first involved Kang-in Lee's tackle on Valverde, with the committee confirming the Korean should have been sent off. However, regarding Cuti Romero's foul on Bellingham, they defended the decision to issue a yellow card.

The first situation examined was the Argentine's challenge on Bellingham. Initially, referee Ortiz Arias called a foul on the Englishman against the "Rojiblancos" player. However, VAR intervened due to an error in identifying the offender, and the yellow card was reassigned. According to the committee, the VAR signal was correct, and they defended the decision for the sanction to be only a caution, not a red card, as Real Madrid had insisted.

"After playing the ball, Cuti Romero steps on Bellingham's foot. There is intensity with a high element of interpretation. Miguel Angel mistook the direction of the foul. The stomp occurs in the same incident assessed by the referee. On the monitor, he judges the stomp as reckless," the committee explained. They added their verdict: "This is a direct free-kick and a yellow card. VAR intervened correctly."

On the other hand, Kang-in Lee's tackle on Valverde shortly before halftime was also analyzed. According to the committee, the Korean footballer should have been sent off for serious foul play. "Kang-in Lee lunges to stop a Fede Valverde breakthrough. He hits him with his studs on the leg, causing a joint twist and a high risk of injury. Direct free-kick and a red card. A clear and obvious error by the referee. VAR should have intervened," the committee confirmed.

Furthermore, the committee also analyzed the VAR intervention that led to Dean Huijsen's sending off. "Giuliano had gained position, was moving towards goal, and controlled the ball. Huijsen grabbed his arm without any possibility of playing the ball. This is a penalty and a red card. VAR intervened correctly."