Jude Bellingham Challenges Referee After Contentious Real Madrid Derby Loss
Jude Bellingham expressed his anger toward referee Ortiz Arias immediately after Real Madrid’s narrow 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium. The midfielder was involved in one of the match's most debated moments during the first half.
Controversial Challenge Involving Cristian Romero
In the 35th minute, with the score level, Bellingham reached the ball just ahead of Atletico's Cristian Romero in a tight challenge. Unfortunately, Romero’s studs caught Bellingham around the knee.
The referee initially issued a yellow card to Bellingham, but after a VAR check called by official Trujillo Suarez, Ortiz Arias reviewed the incident on the monitor. The decision was reversed, the yellow card was withdrawn from Bellingham, and Romero received a booking instead. This left Real Madrid convinced that Romero’s foul deserved a red card, especially since the referee had the chance to examine the footage himself.
Another Incident Adds to Real Madrid’s Displeasure
Shortly after the Romero event, nine minutes later, Kang-in Lee made a dangerous tackle on Federico Valverde, catching him with his studs near the ankle. Despite being close to the action, Ortiz Arias did not issue any card, and VAR did not suggest a review.
These two moments fueled the tension in the derby, especially after Huijsen was sent off following a VAR intervention for fouling Giuliano Simeone. Real Madrid players felt the refereeing lacked consistency, believing Atletico avoided punishments that should have reduced them to fewer men earlier in the game.
Bellingham’s Reaction at Full-Time
Without hesitation, Bellingham made his displeasure clear at the final whistle, shouting directly at the referee: "Two red cards! Two!" His outburst summed up the feeling among the Real Madrid squad regarding the two key challenges in the first half.
The fallout from this derby will linger, focusing not just on the players’ performances but also on the decisions that kept Atletico at full strength through much of the match. Bellingham’s reaction perfectly reflected the frustration inside the Real Madrid camp as controversy spilled beyond the final whistle.
