Atletico Madrid captain Koke has hit out at the match officials following a humiliating 4-0 loss to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup, accusing the referee of showing favoritism toward the French side.
The Spanish midfielder didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, calling the officiating “unfair” and blaming questionable calls for Atletico’s heavy defeat.
PSG Outclass Atletico
Atletico were overwhelmed by a dominant PSG side that looked every bit the European champions. Early goals from Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha put the Parisians in control, before second-half strikes from youngsters Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in sealed an emphatic win.
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Things went from bad to worse for the Madrid outfit when defender Clément Lenglet received a late red card, reducing them to ten men and dashing any hopes of a late comeback.
Koke Fumes Over Refereeing Decisions
Following the final whistle, Koke voiced his frustration, suggesting that the officiating played a significant role in the outcome.
“The result is not fair,” the Atletico skipper said. “We saw what happened with the referee, we saw the goals that he gave. Every call went to PSG, they always went to their side.”
Koke’s remarks reflect the broader discontent within the Atletico camp, who felt key decisions went against them at crucial moments.
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy and the heavy defeat, Atletico will now aim to regroup and bounce back as their Club World Cup journey continues.
PSG, meanwhile, have made a bold statement with their performance. Under Luis Enrique’s leadership, and powered by standout midfielders Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and João Neves, the French champions are looking to add global silverware to their historic Champions League triumph.
