Diego Simeone criticizes José Mourinho over referee complaints

The fixture on Sunday, September 20, 2026, ended in a 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid, launching Los Rojiblancos into second place in the La Liga standings with 16 points, one ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid. However, the post-match discourse was completely overshadowed by Mourinho’s explosive complaints regarding match official Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias and video assistant referee (VAR) official Daniel Jesús Trujillo.

Mourinho’s Outspoken Demands and Color Prints

Speaking to the media after the final whistle, José Mourinho made it clear that he felt aggrieved by major non-calls during the first half. Rather than discussing tactical nuances in the standard news conference layout, Mourinho brought a piece of A4 color paper displaying photographic evidence of two specific incidents involving Atletico Madrid players Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in.

“We can skip the press conference because the core story of the match is right here,” Mourinho told reporters while holding up the printed images. He asserted that both challenges—Romero’s foul on Jude Bellingham and Lee Kang-in’s contact with Federico Valverde—deserved straight red cards. Ortiz Arias initially brandished a red card for Romero before rescinding it to a yellow following a VAR pitch-side monitor review, while Lee’s challenge went unpunished by both the referee and VAR.

“The referee was not experienced enough to lead the derby,” Mourinho said, pointing to the 41-year-old official’s background. He also took direct aim at VAR official Daniel Jesús Trujillo, citing past grievances from fixtures involving Girona and Osasuna in the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid ultimately finished the match with 10 men after defender Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half for a foul on Giuliano Simeone that led to a penalty.

Diego Simeone Draws a Line on Respect

Responding to the heated atmosphere and Mourinho’s presentation, Diego Simeone condemned the manner of the complaints. While acknowledging the intense spotlight shared by elite managers like Hansi Flick, Manuel Pellegrini, Mourinho, and himself, Simeone argued that public criticism of officials crosses an unacceptable boundary.

“We respect everything that everyone says, but we must think that Flick, Mourinho, Pellegrini, Simeone are in a privileged place, with a very large spotlight as coaches, and we must be careful with what we say,” Simeone stated, as referenced by Diario As. “We must know how to respect referees, work colleagues. When someone steps out of that limit of respect, even if your name is Mourinho, Simeone, Flick or Pellegrini, that cannot be, we must not cross that line.”

Simeone also noted that the head of the refereeing committee clarified that Romero’s tackle did not warrant a red card, adding that refereeing decisions naturally balance out over the course of a campaign.

Inside the Match Defining Moments

Beyond the disciplinary flashpoints, the 2-1 result hinged on second-half execution. Atletico seized control through Alejandro Grimaldo, who converted a 53rd-minute penalty, followed quickly by Jonathan David’s strike in the 59th minute. Real Madrid applied pressure late, pulling a goal back in the 89th minute via an Antonio Rüdiger header, but could not salvage a point.

The win moves Atletico Madrid to 16 points in the 2026-2027 La Liga table, five points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, who sit on 21 points. Real Madrid remains stalled on 15 points after suffering their first major derby setback of the domestic season.