FootyChatter.com

Abdel Abqar denies intentionally touching Alexander Sorloth's genitals Atletico Madrid's 1-0 La Liga victory was overshadowed by Getafe defender Abdel Abqar's dismissal for touching the genitals of their striker Alexander Sorloth. With the hosts leading through Nahuel Molina's long-range strike into the top corner in the eighth minute, Saturday's match descended into chaos seven minutes after the second-half restart. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz halted play and indicated a video assistant referee (VAR) check for a possible red-card offence. Replays on the big screens at Estadio Metropolitano showed Abqar touched Sorloth's groin during an off-the-ball altercation, with the Norwegian forward then pulling his opponent to the ground in retaliation. After consulting the pitchside monitor, Moroccan Abqar was sent off and Sorloth booked for his reaction. "It was not my intention to touch the player in this area, " Abqar told Movistar afterwards. "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. "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. " But Atleti goalkeeper Juan Musso added: "These are things that happened 30 years ago, the referee was right to sent him off. "Before you could do this [in football], now there is no place for these things. " Sorloth had hit the post before the break, but it was Getafe who spurned several late opportunities to level despite their numerical disadvantage. A fourth straight win moved Diego Simeone's side up to third place in La Liga with 57 points, six behind second-placed Real Madrid and 10 adrift of leaders Barcelona having played a game more. Last Updated 14th March 2026 at 21: 58 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: José Bordalás Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: José Bordalás Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Spanish La Liga All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Atletico Madrid 1, Getafe 0. Second Half ends, Atletico Madrid 1, Getafe 0. Martín Satriano (Getafe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Martín Satriano (Getafe). Foul by Nico González (Atletico Madrid). Djené Dakonam (Getafe) wins a free kick on the right wing. Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid). Martín Satriano (Getafe) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Djené Dakonam. Corner, Getafe. Conceded by Juan Musso. Attempt saved. Adrián Liso (Getafe) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid). Assisted by Juan Iglesias with a cross. José María Giménez (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Veljko Birmancevic (Getafe). Foul by Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid). Diego Rico (Getafe) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Getafe. Javi Muñoz replaces Luis Milla. Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Djené Dakonam. Fourth official has announced 9 minutes of added time. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.