A La Liga match between Atlético Madrid and Getafe on Saturday was marred by an unusual incident resulting in a red card for Getafe defender Abdel Abqar. The dismissal stemmed from contact with Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth, sparking controversy and debate about acceptable conduct on the pitch.
The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the match, which Atlético Madrid ultimately won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Nahuel Molina in the eighth minute. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz initially consulted with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before reviewing the footage himself on the pitchside monitor. The replay clearly showed Abqar making contact with Sørloth’s groin area during an off-the-ball altercation, leading to the red card and a subsequent booking for Sørloth in response to the initial contact.
The incident quickly became a talking point, with differing accounts emerging. Abqar, speaking to Movistar after the match, maintained his innocence, stating, “It was not my intention to touch the player in this area.” He further emphasized the physical nature of football, claiming that “you see it in every game, and in football, we’re touching, clashing and everything, but I never thought about touching him in that area.” He insisted the contact was unintentional, stating, “I don’t know what the referee saw but you can see it clearly and I swear that I never thought about touching him there.”
Though, Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso offered a contrasting perspective. Musso stated, as reported by the BBC, that “These are things that happened 30 years ago, the referee was right to send him off.” He added, “Before you could do this [in football], now there is no place for these things.”
Alexander Sørloth, who currently plays as a striker for Atlético Madrid and the Norway national team, has had a varied career, playing for clubs including Rosenborg, Groningen, Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad, and Villarreal before joining Atlético Madrid in 2024. According to Wikipedia, as of March 14, 2026, Sørloth has made 62 appearances for Atlético Madrid, scoring 30 goals. He also has 68 caps for Norway, scoring 26 goals as of November 17, 2025.
The red card significantly impacted the remainder of the match, with Getafe forced to play with ten men. Despite being a man down, Getafe created several late opportunities to equalize, but were unable to find the back of the net. The victory moved Atlético Madrid into third place in La Liga with 57 points, six points behind Real Madrid and ten points behind league leaders Barcelona, having played one more game than both teams.
This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny on player conduct in professional football and the role of VAR in addressing unacceptable behavior on the field. The swift action taken by the referee underscores a commitment to upholding standards of sportsmanship and respect within the game.
The focus now shifts to potential disciplinary action beyond the red card, and how this incident will be addressed by league officials. Further analysis of the footage and statements from both players and officials are expected in the coming days. The incident is likely to fuel further discussion about the boundaries of acceptable physical play and the responsibility of players to maintain respectful conduct throughout a match.
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