Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone slams VAR over Real Madrid controversy, claims referees have been ‘paralyzed’

Diego Simeone had previously called out the biased refereeing in La Lia in February 2023.

Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone slams VAR over Real Madrid controversy, claims referees have been ‘paralyzed’

Diego Simeone was furious at the referees (Image via Football Espana)

On 21st January, Real Madrid beat UD Almeria 3-2. Being 2-0 down at half-time, Los Blancos managed to come back in the 2nd half. Goals by Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal ensured they won, but the match was controversial due to the officiating. 

Many fans claimed that UD Almeria were robbed of their first win of the season thanks to biased refereeing. They claimed the penalty gifted to Real was really soft and Vinicius’s goal came off his hand. Almeria players and staff also called out the referees after the match, and they have garnered support from fans around the world. 

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The audio of the referees discussing Vinicius’s goal was leaked recently. The Royal Spanish Football Federation filed a police complaint regarding it as well, claiming security concerns. When asked about the VAR controversy and the audio leak, Diego Simeone was furious that the RFEF was more concerned about who leaked the audio instead of the contents of it. 

FS Video
The referees go through a moment of pressure, the VAR improves them, but exposes them too. Then we can discuss whether the audios are good: the issue is not whether they leak them, but what happens in them. They think we are all stupid, and that makes us angry. 
Diego Simeone

Diego Simeone has previously called out the referees for having a bias for Los Blancos. During the Madrid derby in February 2023, Angel Correa was sent off after elbowing Antonio Rudiger. After the match, he didn’t hold back his anger and claimed the sending-off was the wrong decision. He further added that the new normal was all decisions going in Real’s way. 

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid agree to sign teen star from Belgium 

Atletico Madrid have made their third signing of the season by bringing in Belgian sensation, Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp. According to sources, Verrmeeren was signed for €27 million and will stay in the Spanish capital for five years. Fabrizio Romano states the midfielder will be paid €15 million a year and Atletico had to fend off interest from Barcelona to obtain the midfielder. 

Arthur Vermeeren
Arthur Vermeeren’s pricetag was €27 million (Image via Transfermarkt)

He is their third signing after goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan and winger Marcus Paulo. They are currently linked to Juventus striker Moise Kean as well, who they would get on loan.

Diego Simeone’s men will play Sevilla on Thursday night in the Copa del Rey after beating Real Madrid 4-2 in the previous round. 

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