CTA corrects Ortiz Arias: Kang-in Lee should have been sent off

The arbitral performance in the Metropolitano derby has already been revisited. According to MARCA, the CTA acknowledged mistakes both by on-field referee Ortiz Arias and by the VAR in a key incident involving Kang-in Lee.

Specifically, the body’s position is that the South Korean’s challenge on Fede Valverde should have resulted in a direct red card. MARCA says the correction is summarized as “direct free kick and direct red”, arguing there was an “obvious and clear error by the referee” and that “VAR should have intervened”.

The Kang-in Lee case

The incident is analyzed because the CTA believes the foul was not punished in the way it deserved. The assessment concludes that the check should have led to an immediate dismissal, not a lesser sanction.

Two more CTA reviews

The CTA also ruled on the duel between Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham, where it deems the overall refereeing outcome correct and explains why Ortiz Arias went to the monitor. Initially, the referee booked the Madrid midfielder, but VAR detected confusion over the identity of the player who was shown the card, since Bellingham was the one who received the contact. After review, the referee rescinds the booking and also cautions Cuti Romero.

Finally, there’s a third point: the penalty involving Huijsen on Giuliano. MARCA reports the CTA blames another mistake by Ortiz Arias, although it highlights the VAR’s intervention. VAR asked for a review after considering the foul in a “DOGSO” area and potentially worthy of a red card. Once checked on the monitor, Ortiz Arias changed his decision and ended up sending off the Madrid player, as described by the outlet.