Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has urged Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho to show respect when criticizing referees after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat in the Madrid derby.
Mourinho was furious with the officiating after Real were reduced to 10 men when Dean Huijsen was sent off following a VAR review.
Atletico took advantage, with Alejandro Grimaldo converting the resulting penalty before Jonathan David doubled their lead. Antonio Rudiger scored a late header for Real, but Atletico held on for the victory.
Mourinho criticized referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias and the refereeing appointments committee, arguing that Atletico’s Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in should also have been sent off for challenges on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. He also questioned the experience of the referee and criticized VAR official Daniel Trujillo.
Responding to Mourinho, Simeone said managers must be careful with their comments about officials.
“You should never cross the line. Regardless of who you are, Mourinho, Flick, Pellegrini, me, or anyone else, we need to be careful about what we say,” Simeone said.
“You cannot lose the referees’ respect. No matter how big a name you are, like Mourinho is, we need to be respectful.
“Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t.”
The defeat leaves Real Madrid third in LaLiga, while Atletico moved up to second behind leaders Barcelona.
