Atletico Madrid defender Cristian Romero voiced strong criticism of the officiating after his first LaLiga clash with Real Madrid last weekend, a match that ended in a 2‑1 home victory for Los Colchoneros at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Video captured Romero protesting the referee’s decisions as both sides headed to the dressing rooms at half‑time. The former Tottenham Hotspur defender said the opposition were consistently favoured, adding, “It’s impossible to play against Real Madrid because every decision goes their way. It’s a disgrace.”
Despite the controversy, Atletico secured the win, moving one point ahead of Real Madrid into second place in the league table, while Mourinho’s side slipped to fourth, a point behind Real Betis.
Romero’s appearance marked his debut in a Madrid derby after joining Atletico from Tottenham during the summer transfer window. The match official, Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias, drew criticism from both clubs, notably for not dismissing Kang‑In Lee following a dangerous challenge on Federico Valverde.
Both LaLiga and Atletico Madrid responded to the complaints, rejecting the notion that the referee’s calls had a material impact on the final result.
LaLiga, Spain’s premier football competition, has long been dominated by Real Madrid, a factor that often intensifies scrutiny of refereeing decisions in high‑profile encounters.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
