The aftermath of the Madrid derby spilled firmly into the digital sphere when Atlético de Madrid used social media to mock Real Madrid manager José Mourinho over his complaints regarding refereeing. Following a 2–1 victory for the rojiblancos at the Metropolitano, Atlético published a video featuring an office printer stamping the phrase “Stop acoso arbitral” (“Stop referee harassment”) onto a piece of card stock. The post served as a direct counter-attack to Mourinho, who used his post-match press conference to display printed images of disputed calls and question the integrity of the officiating crew.
Mourinho’s Post-Match Press Conference Grievances
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Mourinho brought printed visual aids into the auditorium to criticize referee Ortiz Arias. According to reports from the Spanish press, the Real Madrid coach pointed to specific sequences involving red card shouts and questioned the motives behind the officiating assignments. “We could save ourselves the conference because the history of the match is here,” Mourinho said in the post-match press conference, holding up his printed materials. He added that if his side were left in peace to compete on equal terms, he would not suspect outside intervention, though he remarked, “I don’t want to go far and say this is something prepared. I don’t want to think about this.”
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Simeone Sets the Line on Respect
Atlético de Madrid manager Diego Simeone took to the podium minutes after his counterpart and urged restraint regarding public critiques of match officials. Sourced reports note that the Argentine manager drew a firm boundary for figures across La Liga. “No matter whether your name is Mourinho or Simeone, you cannot cross the line of respect,” Simeone stated in the stadium auditorium. While Atlético players celebrated a hard-fought victory before a three-week league break, the club’s administration waited roughly 24 hours before escalating the war of words online.
Digital Retaliation and Precedent
The office printer stunt marks the latest instance of Atlético de Madrid leveraging deadpan humor on social media to target rivals. In its follow-up social media posts after the derby, Atlético featured the phrase “Stop acoso arbitral ya” alongside an image of Mourinho holding his printed photos, followed by a separate jab noting that Real Madrid faced an early test with a three-week break without league action.
Next Steps in La Liga
Both clubs now break for the scheduled international window, halting domestic league competition for three weeks. Real Madrid will look to regroup following the derby defeat and the ongoing controversy surrounding match officiating, while Atlético de Madrid enters the pause enjoying the table implications of a 2–1 home victory.
