VAR Communications Revealed from Madrid Derby

Hours after the Madrid derby between Atlético and Real, the Referees' Technical Committee released the VAR audio recordings from two pivotal incidents. The first reviewed episode involved a clash between Jude Bellingham and Cristian Romero, where Real Madrid vehemently argued for a red card for the Argentine. The second situation concerned the red card shown to Dean Huijsen for his foul on Giuliano Simeone, which resulted in a penalty for Atlético.

One of the most contentious moments in the derby was Romero's tackle on Bellingham. Initially, head referee Miguel Ortiz Arias called a foul on the English midfielder and issued him a yellow card. For this reason, VAR's intervention was not to review the situation for a red card, despite the rough tackle and Real Madrid's protests, but due to an error in identifying the offending player.

"Miguel, I recommend a review to assess a potential error in identification," VAR referee Trujillo Suárez began. He added, "I see the Atlético Madrid player stepping on the Real Madrid player, and the Real player is playing the ball." After reviewing the replays, Ortiz Arias made his decision: "Okay, I'm rescinding the yellow card for the Real Madrid player and will show a yellow card to the Atlético player, correct?"

The second released recording was from the penalty incident for Atlético, committed by Huijsen against Giuliano Simeone. Initially, Ortiz Arias awarded a penalty and showed a yellow card. "I see the Real Madrid player holding back an opponent with no chance to play the ball in a clear goal-scoring opportunity," VAR referee Trujillo Suárez stated into the microphone.

After seeing the replays, Ortiz Arias changed his decision: "Okay, I had judged that the goalkeeper could reach the ball. But the goalkeeper is not at such a distance to succeed. I will change the yellow card to a red and confirm the penalty."

It remains unclear what was discussed between the head referee and VAR regarding Kang-In Lee's rough tackle on Valverde. In this situation, which Real Madrid considered the clearest case for a red card, the video assistant referee system did not intervene.