Real Madrid News
Referee report details two send-offs after Real Madrid vs Atletico tunnel row
The controversy surrounding the Madrid derby continued beyond the pitch, with the referee’s report revealing that a confrontation broke out in the tunnel at half-time and resulted in red cards for members of both coaching staffs.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were involved in a heated exchange on their way to the dressing rooms, with Antonio Rudiger and Morten Hjulmand identified as the players who helped spark the incident.
The confrontation eventually led to Atletico goalkeeping coach Pablo Vercellone and one of Jose Mourinho’s assistants, Pedro Machado, being sent off.
The fallout also affected the start of the second half, which was delayed by five minutes because Real Madrid were late returning to the field.
Two coaches sent off after tunnel confrontation
As per Mundo Deportivo, the referee’s report provides the clearest account of what happened after the first 45 minutes.
🤬 ENCONTRONAZO ENTRE RÜDIGER Y HJULMAND EN EL TÚNEL DE VESTUARIOS@as_tv @anarasueros pic.twitter.com/M3yA4byVSx
— Diario AS (@diarioas) September 20, 2026
Vercellone was dismissed for confronting a member of the Real Madrid coaching staff in the tunnel, with the referee stating that his actions helped trigger a wider confrontation between players and coaches from both teams.
The report stated: “In the 45th minute, the coach VERCELLONE GAMBARDELLA, IGNACIO PABLO, was sent off for the following reason:
“For confronting a coach from the opposing team in the tunnel leading to the changing rooms, once the first half had ended, provoking a mass confrontation between players and coaching staff from both teams.”
Machado received an identical punishment from the other side of the confrontation.
The referee recorded, “In the 45th minute, the coach FERREIRA MACHADO, PEDRO LUIS, was sent off for the following reason:
“For confronting a coach from the opposing team in the tunnel leading to the changing rooms, once the first half had ended, causing a mass brawl between players and coaches from both teams.”
Rudiger and Hjulmand involved as tensions boil over
The tunnel incident came after an increasingly tense first half at the Metropolitano.
Rudiger and Hjulmand were involved in the events that preceded the confrontation, with tensions between the two camps spilling over once the players left the pitch.
The involvement of coaching staff meant the referee had little choice but to take disciplinary action before the teams returned for the second half.
Both Vercellone and Machado were therefore forced to watch the remainder of the derby from outside the technical areas.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfield mainstay set for 50% pay rise as contract talks advance – report
Real Madrid have made significant progress in negotiations with Jude Bellingham’s representatives over a new contract and are hopeful of reaching an agreement before the end of 2026, according to Graeme Bailey.
The England midfielder is already under contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2029, but Los Blancos have been keen to revisit his terms after his continued rise in importance for both club and country.
On that note, the proposed renewal would reward Bellingham with a substantial salary increase and strengthen his position among Real Madrid’s highest-paid players.
Bellingham in line for huge Real Madrid pay rise
The journalist states that Bellingham currently earns around €20 million per season, but the proposed agreement would take his salary beyond €30 million annually.
This represents an increase of roughly 50% and would place the England star in the same financial bracket as Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who also renewed his contract with substantial pay rise earlier this year.
Notably, the club’s thinking is closely linked to Bellingham’s status within the team.
Madrid consider him one of the leading midfielders in world football and believe his performances have put him into the conversation for the next Ballon d’Or.
His latest international displays have only reinforced that view, with Bellingham playing a starring role for England against Croatia.
Real Madrid want Bellingham tied down beyond 2029
The proposed renewal is expected to extend Bellingham’s commitment beyond his current 2029 expiry date, with a deal running until at least 2031 being discussed.
The precise length could depend on when the final agreement is signed, but Madrid’s intention is for Bellingham to be tied down for the foreseeable future.
Real Madrid’s proposal also gets strong backing from the fact that Bellingham is certainly not looking for a way out of the Bernabeu.
The midfielder is happy with life in Madrid and committed to continuing his career with the Spanish giants, making the current negotiations more about securing an agreement that reflects his status than trying to convince him to stay.
