Anger at Real Madrid after “Valverde’s red”… and an arbitration expert resolves the controversy! (video)

The direct red card to Real Madrid star, Uruguayan Federico Valverde, during the Royal Club’s match with its neighboring rival, Atletico Madrid, in the 29th round of the Spanish League (3-2), on Sunday, sparked widespread controversy. Observers and analysts considered the expulsion unfair to the “Merengue” captain, while an arbitration expert confirmed the correctness of the referee’s decision.

Spanish arbitration expert Perez Burol told the newspaper “Marca”: “The referee’s decision was correct and cannot be interpreted, given the nature of the violent intervention from behind without any opportunity to play on the ball.”

Valverde received a direct red card in the 77th minute, after interfering with Atletico Madrid player Alex Baena, which makes his absence in the coming period very sensitive given his importance to the royal teams.

Real human beings are saying Valverde didn’t deserve a red card for this 😂

pic.twitter.com/mzRzwlXDeW

— MessiMania (@M10Update) March 22, 2026

The arbitration expert explained: “The intervention met all the criteria for direct expulsion, as the kick came from behind and was completely far from the ball, which makes referee Jose Luis Munuera’s decision worthy.”

What angered Real Madrid fans was that the match referee did not show a red card to the Atletico Madrid player in a similar situation that would have warranted violent intervention against Valverde himself!

🚨ESCÁNDALO MUNDIAL:

Here we entered the EXACTAMENTE IGUAL of Ruggeri sobre Federico Valverde and este mismo partido que la entrada por la que fue expulsado el uruguayo.

The club of the club only views Amarilla.

This is the prevarication in the Negreira League.pic.twitter.com/c2J18vNKdn

– CR7STIANISMO🇪🇸🇵🇹 (@Cr7stianismo_) March 22, 2026

It is noteworthy that the referee wrote in his report that “Valverde kicked the opponent, without being within range of hitting the ball, using excessive force,” which necessitated his expulsion at a time when Spanish reports stated that Real Madrid would appeal against the referee’s decision.