Spain’s referees committee has officially ruled that Lee Kang-in should have been sent off during the Madrid derby. The verdict appeared in the fifth edition of the committee’s ‘Tiempo de Revision’ review programme for the 2026-27 La Liga season, which examined a series of disputed decisions from the latest round of La Liga and Segunda Division fixtures.
According to the committee, Lee’s challenge on Federico Valverde involved the studs of his boot landing directly on Valverde’s foot. Valverde’s ankle was visibly deformed as a result, creating a very high risk of injury.
The committee said the referee should have awarded a direct free kick and shown Lee a red card, and described the failure to do so as a clear and conclusive error. It added that VAR should also have intervened.
Romero yellow card was correct, committee rules
The programme also reviewed the incident involving Atletico Madrid defender Cristian Romero and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. The referee initially showed Bellingham a yellow card, before VAR prompted a review and the card was switched to Romero.
The committee explained that possession in the challenge was shared equally between the two players, and that Romero stepped on Bellingham’s leg after playing the ball. The committee said the referee had confused the direction of the foul, and VAR recommended a review on the grounds of mistaken identity.
The referee then assessed Romero’s action as reckless, cancelled Bellingham’s yellow card and booked Romero instead. The committee ruled that the VAR intervention was accurate.
Valverde confirmed with grade-three ankle sprain
Real Madrid confirmed in an official statement on 22 September that Valverde has a grade-three sprain of his left ankle, following an examination by the club’s medical staff.
Real Madrid also issued a statement on the same day condemning La Liga president Tebas. Tebas had posted on social media dismissing what he called conspiracy theories in media coverage surrounding Real Madrid. The club said in its statement that his repeated comments denigrate and attack Real Madrid and are unacceptable.
