​MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Yan Diomande of Real Madrid is challenged by Lee Kang-In of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 20, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images) | Getty Images Real Madrid’s 2–1 defeat to Atlético Madrid generated disputes that continued beyond the final whistle, from the refereeing decisions on the pitch to a confrontation in the tunnel. Madrid’s complaints centred on the challenges involving Cristian Romero and Kang-in Lee, while Pedro Machado’s dismissal added a potential disciplinary consequence for José Mourinho’s coaching staff. Atlético, meanwhile, defended their performance and called for restraint in the criticism of the officials.AS: CTA sources believe Kang-in should have been sent offAS reports that sources within the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) consider Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Fede Valverde a red-card offence. The same report supports Dean Huijsen’s dismissal but describes Romero’s challenge on Jude Bellingham as more debatable. The Kang-in assessment remains attributed to AS’s sources, rather than a published RFEF verdict or disciplinary ruling.Kang-in escaped a booking for the challenge, with no on-field VAR review. Huijsen, meanwhile, initially received a yellow card after conceding a penalty against Giuliano Simeone, before Ortiz Arias upgraded the punishment to a red following a review at the monitor.Separately, the subsequently released VAR audio clarified why Ortiz Arias was called to review the Romero–Bellingham incident. Trujillo Suárez recommended a review over a potential mistaken-identity error, explaining that the Atlético player had stepped on the Madrid player, rather than the reverse. Ortiz Arias then cancelled Bellingham’s booking and cautioned Romero. The published exchange does not show VAR recommending a red card.What the actual eff is this https://t.co/wVRGlHeU1Opic.twitter.com/IBf1i812yy— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) September 20, 2026Machado and Vercellone dismissed after tunnel confrontationMourinho’s assistant Pedro Machado and Atlético goalkeeping coach Pablo Vercellone were both sent off following an incident in the tunnel at halftime. According to the referee’s report reproduced by Mundo Deportivo, each was dismissed for confronting a member of the opposing coaching staff and provoking a wider confrontation involving players and coaches from both teams.The disturbance followed an exchange between Antonio Rüdiger and Morten Hjulmand as the teams left the pitch. Both coaching-staff dismissals were recorded in the 45th minute. The report also stated that the second half began five minutes late because Madrid delayed their return to the field.Machado’s dismissal leaves Mourinho facing a possible absence from his bench staff against Villarreal, although the disciplinary outcome—and the length of a