Real Madrid will appeal Valverde’s red card in the Madrid derby. Real Madrid believes the punishment for the Uruguayan midfielder was too harsh, after Valverde was sent off for a foul on Buena. Although the chances of a successful appeal are slim, this is Real Madrid’s way of putting pressure on the La Liga refereeing committee after receiving so many red cards this season.

Paradox at Real Madrid: Few Fouls, Many Cards

The derby victory helped Real Madrid keep pace with Barcelona in the La Liga title race. However, there is a worrying issue regarding discipline at the Bernabéu side.

Federico Valverde received a red card in the match against Atlético Madrid in Round 29 of La Liga.

Against Atlético Madrid, Álvaro Arbeloa’s players committed only 2 fouls compared to their opponent’s 15. Yet the punishment was severe: 1 yellow card and 1 red card for Real Madrid, while Atlético Madrid received only 4 yellow cards.

As a result, Federico Valverde—who was sent off in the derby—will be suspended for the next match against Mallorca on April 4. It’s worth noting that the Uruguayan midfielder has been one of Real Madrid’s best performers recently. In his last 8 appearances, Valverde has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists. His absence will be an irreplaceable loss for Arbeloa’s team.

Real Madrid committed only 2 fouls in the Madrid derby but still received 1 yellow card and 1 red card.

Valverde’s red card also highlights a serious issue for Real Madrid this season: discipline. The club has received a total of 7 red cards in La Liga 2025/26—level with Girona (7) and only behind Oviedo and Rayo Vallecano (both with 8). The paradox is that Real Madrid has committed the second-fewest fouls in La Liga this season, with just 286—more than only Barcelona (267). In other words, Real Madrid players commit fewer fouls, but they tend to be more serious ones (leading to red cards).

Across all competitions, Real Madrid has had 10 players sent off since the start of the season. Eight of those were straight red cards, while two resulted from second yellow cards. No player has been sent off more than once, with 10 different players receiving red cards. This raises major concerns about discipline within the squad. It seems Arbeloa may have been too lenient with his players, as the former Spanish defender is considered mild-mannered and lacking strictness in his approach.

If this trend of unnecessary red cards continues, Real Madrid could eventually pay a heavy price in both La Liga and the Champions League.