'Lee Kang-in vs Valverde → Atletico vs Real Madrid' Openly Attacked on SNS... Historic Conflict 'Flaring Up'

*This content was translated by AI.

The fallout is severe. Doubts over the ruling regarding Lee Kang-in's (25) rough tackle have escalated into a direct confrontation between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Spanish media outlet 'Marca' reported on the 22nd (Korean time), stating, "Atletico reacted with heightened emotion to the frustration manager Jose Mourinho expressed at his post-match press conference following the Madrid derby defeat." The report added, "The Atletico side strongly protested, claiming that Real Madrid has crossed a line that should not be crossed again."

Approximately 24 hours after Mourinho's harsh criticism of the referees, Atletico took to its official social networking service (SNS), posting an image featuring a printed photo of Mourinho alongside the message: "Stop bullying the referees immediately."

Even more, an Atletico club official told 'Marca', "There is a line that should not be crossed, and they have crossed it again. We must not abandon respect for the refereeing team." The official further stated, "This behavior threatens the integrity and fairness of Spanish football as a whole. If this is not corrected immediately, it will reach an irreversible point."

The official then pointed out that Atletico could never accept Real Madrid's practice of highlighting officiating controversies to divert attention from their defeat, while leveraging outlets like Real Madrid TV to pressure and intimidate referees even before the match began.

The conflict began with a scene late in the first half of the Madrid derby, where Lee Kang-in committed a rough tackle on Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) by stepping on his ankle. Following the match, Mourinho held up printed materials during an official press conference and directly stated, "Lee Kang-in should have been sent off." Real Madrid TV also escalated the rhetoric, saying, "Two Atletico players should have been sent off, leaving them to play with nine men. This is disgusting," even hinting at withdrawal from La Liga.

Analysis from Spanish officiating experts and figures in the football community has also followed. Antonio Mateu Lahoz, a former top-tier La Liga referee, stated on Spanish broadcaster 'Movistar Plus', "Just looking at the photo makes it clear. It was an extremely dangerous move. Typically, such plays result in a direct red card."

Lahoz continued, "However, Valverde's action of immediately getting up without showing pain or complaining after being fouled seems to have prevented the main referee and the video assistant referee (VAR) from intervening. I find it difficult to understand VAR's decision-making process, which is tied more to mathematical formulas than to football itself."

Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano also explained, "Mourinho has previously pointed out that Valverde was too naive in getting up immediately after being fouled by him. In this case as well, it is possible that Valverde's early recovery influenced the referees' decision not to issue a red card."

Meanwhile, in the 2026–2027 Spanish La Liga Round 7 derby match on this day, Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1. The victory was secured by Alejandro Grimaldo's opening penalty kick, earned after Dean Huijsen's red card, and Jonathan David's decisive goal, which followed Lee Kang-in's penetrating pass.

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*This content was translated by AI.