VAR audio from Atletico vs Real Madrid derby reveals what referees said over controversial calls | OneFootball

The Technical Referees’ Committee (CTA) has released the VAR audio from the two incidents that required video intervention during Atletico Madrid’s derby victory over Real Madrid, offering insight into the decisions involving Cristian Romero, Jude Bellingham and Dean Huijsen.

The recordings cover two separate reviews involving match referee Ortiz Arias. 

The first centred on a case of mistaken identity after Romero stepped on Bellingham, while the second concerned the penalty and eventual red card awarded to Huijsen for his challenge on Giuliano Simeone.

Notably, the audio does not provide an explanation for why VAR did not intervene over Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Federico Valverde, an incident that CTA has admitted as an error by the referee.

VAR audio explains Romero and Bellingham incident

The first review began after Ortiz Arias initially penalised Bellingham and showed the Real Madrid midfielder a yellow card.

The VAR team did not immediately recommend a review for a possible red card to Romero. Instead, the intervention was triggered because the referee appeared to have identified the wrong player as the offender.

The VAR official told Ortiz Arias: “Miguel, I’d recommend a review so you can assess a potential case of mistaken identity.”

He then explained exactly what had been identified on the footage: “I can see that it’s the Atletico Madrid player who steps on the Real Madrid player. And it’s the Real Madrid player who touches the ball.”

After going to the monitor, Ortiz Arias corrected the initial decision and removed Bellingham’s booking.

“Right, I’m going to rescind the yellow card for the Real Madrid player and show a yellow card to the Atlético player. Is that OK?”

The recording therefore confirms that the review was initiated because of mistaken identity rather than a direct VAR recommendation for a red card.

Huijsen red card decision explained by VAR

The second recording concerns the incident that ultimately left Real Madrid with ten men.

Ortiz Arias initially awarded Atletico a penalty after Huijsen pulled back Giuliano Simeone and showed the Madrid defender a yellow card.

VAR official Trujillo Suarez then intervened, highlighting the nature of the challenge: 

“I can see that the Real Madrid player is holding the opponent back, with no chance of contesting the ball, in a clear goal-scoring opportunity.”

The review changed the referee’s assessment of the incident. Ortiz Arias acknowledged that his initial interpretation had been influenced by the position of the goalkeeper.

“Right, I’d interpreted that the goalkeeper could have got there. The goalkeeper isn’t within reach. I’m going to change the yellow card to a red one and uphold the penalty.”

The decision left Real Madrid playing with ten men for the remainder of the match.

Kang-in Lee and Valverde incident remains unexplained

One major piece of the derby controversy is still missing from the released audio.

There was no VAR intervention over Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Valverde, meaning no conversation between the referee and video assistant regarding that incident has been published.

That is particularly relevant given the subsequent debate over whether the Atletico midfielder should have been sent off.

The released recordings, thus, clarify why the two VAR reviews took place and how Ortiz Arias reached his final decisions, but they do not explain the decision not to review the Kang-in Lee challenge, leaving one of the most disputed moments of the Madrid derby unresolved.