Real Madrid may face RFEF action over late restart vs Atlético
Referee Ortiz Arias noted Real Madrid's five-minute delay before the second half of the derby; a warning is likely for a first offence, a fine up to €3,000 possible.
Real Madrid delayed their return to the pitch for the second half of the derby at the Metropolitano by 5 minutes, and the RFEF's Disciplinary Committee may now look at it. Atlético won the match 2-1.
Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias recorded the delay in his match report, as Mundo Deportivo reported.
«El segundo periodo de juego comenzó con cinco minutos de demora con respecto al horario establecido, debido a que el equipo visitante retardó su salida al terreno de juego».
Article 89 of the RFEF regulations covers a late exit to the pitch, at the start of a match or after the interval. It sets a fine of up to €3,000 for the club. The second such offence counts as incorrect conduct by the head coach, which can bring expulsion and a suspension of 1 to 3 matches.
The outcome is expected to be mild. According to Mundo Deportivo, the committee has issued a warning for a first offence in previous seasons. Fines for the club, and possible action against José Mourinho, usually follow only after repeat cases, around three.
Mourinho spent his post-match comments on the referee, saying Romero and Lee Kang-in should have been sent off. Dean Huijsen was dismissed, and Real Madrid will be short in defence for their next game. Captain Federico Valverde is out with an ankle injury after a tackle by Lee, and may miss 2-3 weeks.
If the committee does opt for a warning, it changes nothing for now. It would, though, go on the record as a first offence for Real Madrid, and Mourinho, already at odds with Ortiz Arias, would be closer to the threshold if it happens again.
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