La Liga president rejects Real Madrid's referee bias claims after 2-1 derby loss

Madrid manager José Mourinho lodged a formal complaint on Thursday, alleging bias from the match officials after his Real Madrid side fell 2‑1 to city rivals Atlético Madrid in the La Liga derby at the Metropolitano. The Portuguese coach claimed that several decisions – including a disallowed Real Madrid goal in the first half and a contentious penalty awarded to Atlético in the second – had unfairly influenced the outcome. Mourinho demanded a review of the referee’s performance and warned that such perceived inconsistencies could affect the integrity of the competition.

The defeat, which saw Atlético secure three points and move further up the league table, marked the latest setback for Real Madrid in a season already marked by inconsistent results. The referee’s report confirmed the penalty decision and the non‑award of the earlier goal, prompting Real Madrid to file an appeal with the Spanish Football Federation. The federation has indicated it will examine the protest but has not yet announced any disciplinary action, leaving the dispute to be resolved off the pitch.