Ortiz Arias' ref cam reveals derby exchanges: "I blow a foul and 25 come off the bench"
LaLiga released the footage from referee Ortiz Arias' personal camera during the Atlético-Real Madrid derby. The audio captures his exchanges with Mourinho, Kang-In Lee, Marc Pubill and Valverde, as well as the penalty appeal from Vinicius. The official stood by his decisions amid protests from both benches.
ByJavi
5 min read
The Metropolitano derby between Atletico and Real Madrid (2-1) continues to generate material beyond the final result. LaLiga has published the footage from the personal camera worn by referee Ortiz Arias, a tool that reveals how he handled protests from both teams and several controversial moments during the match.
- Ortiz Arias told José Mourinho off after a wave of protests from the bench following a foul.
- The referee explained on the pitch that Kang-In Lee's hard challenge on Valverde ended in a free kick without a card.
- Marc Pubill heard from the official that his yellow card was "completely clear".
- The penalty claimed by Vinicius for a handball by Pubill ended with "nothing there" after the VAR check.
- The footage shows tension even before kick-off, with a direct warning to Kang-In Lee over his gestures.
Ortiz Arias hits back at Mourinho after the bench empties
One of the most striking moments in the video involves the Portuguese coach. After the referee blew for a foul, a large group of substitutes and staff members jumped off the bench to complain. The official's response was blunt: "Coach, what is this? I blow a foul and 25 come off the bench."
Mourinho replied immediately: "There are three of us and you give us a yellow card." Ortiz Arias stuck to his view and explained that it was the same player's second offence, a simple foul that did not require further punishment. The exchange reflects the tense mood on the touchline throughout the match.
Kang-In Lee's early warning and the challenge on Valverde
The referee's relationship with the South Korean midfielder was already tense before the opening whistle. Ortiz Arias made that clear with a direct message: "I am tired of you shouting at me all the time and throwing your arms up." The player's answer was brief: "That is not me."
Kang-In Lee ended up at the centre of one of the most talked-about plays of the night. His tackle on Valverde connected with the Uruguayan's ankle, and the midfielder got up immediately to demand a card: "Did you see it? Are you not going to book him?" The referee awarded only the free kick and kept his card in his pocket, a decision Real Madrid interpreted as a clear red.
Pubill's yellow and Vinicius' penalty appeal
Marc Pubill also features in the audio. The defender questioned the yellow card the referee had just shown him, but the response left no room for argument: "It is a completely clear yellow card." The discussion went no further.
Later, a handball inside the area after a shot from Mbappé triggered protests from Real Madrid. Vinicius demanded a penalty with real insistence, and the referee, aware that the play was under review, said: "They are checking it, Vini, they are checking it." The exchange with the VAR ended with a simple "Nothing there? OK", leaving the play without a spot kick.
What the Metropolitano defeat means for Real Madrid
The 2-1 loss at Atletico's ground arrives during a demanding stretch of the calendar for the Spanish giants. LaLiga is entering its decisive phase, and every dropped point carries extra weight in the title race, a battle in which Atletico Madrid remain a direct rival and Barcelona are still within striking distance.
Beyond the scoreline, the refereeing controversy fuels the debate over technology and communication between officials and teams. LaLiga's decision to release these audio and video recordings is part of a broader push for transparency about what happens on the pitch and in the technical areas.
How Ortiz Arias handled the borderline calls
The Madrid-born referee's performance leaves several talking points. In the Kang-In Lee incident, he chose a foul without a booking, believing the contact did not meet the threshold for a card despite Valverde's immediate reaction and the visiting bench's protests. Real Madrid argued the ankle contact deserved a dismissal.
In the handball claim against Pubill, the silent VAR review found no grounds to change the original decision. Those kinds of plays, interpreted differently depending on the angle and the intent, are exactly the ones that keep the noise going between rival fanbases after the full-time whistle.
Frequently asked questions
What did Ortiz Arias say to Mourinho during the derby?
The referee told him off for the bench's reaction: "Coach, what is this? I blow a foul and 25 come off the bench." Mourinho argued that only three had come out and that his side had been shown a yellow card, but the official maintained it was nothing more than a foul.
Why did Real Madrid ask for a red card for Kang-In Lee?
The club felt that the South Korean's challenge on Valverde, which connected with his ankle, deserved a sending off. Ortiz Arias only gave the free kick and held his ground despite protests from the midfielder and the bench.
What happened with Vinicius' penalty appeal for the handball by Pubill?
The play was checked by VAR while the referee told Vinicius it was being reviewed. The communication with the video assistant ended with a simple "Nothing there? OK", so no penalty was awarded.