La Liga referee faces two-week suspension after Madrid derby

Real Madrid’s derby referee Ortiz Arias is facing a possible two-week spell out of La Liga duty after a contentious night at the Metropolitano.

What the reports say

According to Cadena COPE, La Liga’s refereeing technical committee is set to say in its weekly report that VAR should have intervened when Kang-In Lee fouled Federico Valverde. The same report may also examine the clash between Cristian Romero and Jude Bellingham, although that point is not yet certain.

The Spanish radio station also said the committee believes Real have used the refereeing decisions to shift attention away from their own performance in the derby.

Derby fallout

Real lost 2-1 away to Atlético Madrid on Sunday night in round seven of La Liga. José Mourinho protested against Ortiz Arias after the final whistle, saying Romero should have been sent off for the challenge on Bellingham and Lee for the foul on Valverde.

Real played from the 52nd minute with 10 men after Spaniard Dean Huijsen was sent off. The defeat left Real on 15 points in fourth place, six behind leaders Barcelona.