Spain's Technical Committee of Referees said Lee Kang‑In should have been sent off in the Madrid derby. It also defended the decision not to red‑card Cristian Romero.
Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTC) confirmed on Sunday that South Korean midfielder Lee Kang‑In should have been shown a red card after his violent tackle on Federico Valverde during the Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. The decision follows a VAR review that clearly indicated a foul worthy of an immediate dismissal.
In an official statement, the committee said the original decision to keep Lee on the pitch "did not align with the game's standards," noting that the referee failed to apply Law 12 (serious foul play) correctly. The committee added that "the player committed a challenge that endangered the opponent's safety and warrants a severe sanction."
Decision on Cristian Romero
At the same time, the CTC defended its choice not to issue a red card to Argentine defender Cristian Romero, who was involved in a separate incident later in the match. The committee explained that Romero's action did not reach the threshold for a direct red under the current regulations, and a yellow card was deemed appropriate.
The two rulings sparked widespread debate among fans and media. Some argued that the leniency toward Romero could set a negative precedent, while others emphasized the need to maintain match flow and avoid drastic changes mid‑game.
Looking ahead, the committee said it will continue to monitor player conduct closely and enforce stricter penalties for dangerous tackles to reduce injuries and uphold fairness on the field.
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