Pubill to the referee: “What a yellow card you’ve given me, you bastard!”

“What a yellow card you’ve given me, you bastard!” Marc Pubill made that remark to referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz at half-time in the derby between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid. According to the reported account, the exchange took place in a friendly, laughing manner.

Last Sunday’s derby, won 2-1 by Atlético at the Metropolitano, featured several controversial incidents. Pubill, Atlético’s defender, was shown a yellow card in the 35th minute after a challenge on Mbappé as he attempted to stop a counter-attack.

Still on the pitch at the break, he expressed his disagreement to Miguel Ángel Ortiz. Vinicius, standing just beside them, watched the scene without saying anything. The Madrid-based referee replied in the same spirit: “But it’s absolutely clear. Marc, clearer than water.”

The episode contrasted with the tension surrounding José Mourinho’s press conference. Real Madrid’s coach felt that two incidents warranted red cards, while a war of statements between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid continued on Monday and Tuesday.