Atletico respond to Mourinho's referee complaints with social media campaign
Atletico Madrid have mocked Jose Mourinho's post-match referee complaints by posting a video of a printer output with the message 'stop referee harassment now'. Mourinho had displayed screenshots of two incidents he believed should have been red cards for Atletico in the derby. Atletico's posts on X received over two million views within two hours.
The exchange is the latest chapter in a heated Madrid rivalry, with Atletico's social media team previously using their X account this summer to mock Barcelona's pursuit of Julian Alvarez. Real's official website also joined the dispute, publishing a match report that blamed the loss on what it termed "dreadful refereeing" by official Ortiz Arias.
The match's pivotal moment came when Atletico defender Dean Huijsen received a red card early in the second half for bringing down Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area while the score remained level. The defeat marked Real's second league loss of the campaign, following an earlier setback against Real Betis. Atletico coach Diego Simeone responded to Mourinho's complaints by emphasizing that coaches must respect referees and avoid crossing lines of propriety.
This public clash could intensify ongoing debates about refereeing standards in Spanish football, a subject that already generates strong reactions from supporters and media alike. The viral nature of Atletico's response may encourage other clubs to adopt similar social media tactics in disputes, potentially escalating tensions between rival fan bases. It could also influence how managers handle post-match criticism, knowing their remarks may trigger immediate counter-campaigns from opponents.