First place on the line in Madrid derby as Real and Atletico squabble over refereeing

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in their second derby of the season with the Liga lead on the line and the focus on refereeing.

Real Madrid has spent the days ahead of Saturday's match complaining of mistakes against the club.

Atletico Madrid has used the buildup to accuse Real Madrid of trying to put pressure on the referees.

Real Madrid enters the match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a one-point lead over Atletico Madrid.

The gap between them narrowed in the last round after Real Madrid lost at Espanyol 1-0 and said it was hurt by refereeing mistakes. The defending league champion took the unusual step of sending a strongly worded complaint to the Spanish federation and the nation’s top sports authority.

The letter sparked widespread reaction across the league, and Atletico Madrid was among those who weren’t happy. The club took to social media to alert to what it called Real Madrid’s attempt to intimidate refs.

Atletico Madrid listed on X what it said were “basic instructions for the derby,” which included good physical preparation, pre-match massages, a thorough analysis of the rival; and finally the “use of your official television channel, again, to put pressure on the referees.”

Real Madrid's TV channel often resorts to videos showing refereeing mistakes against the club, and it showed them again several times this week.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said after the Real Madrid letter that he “absolutely respects everyone’s opinions.” But it wasn’t long ago that he was exchanging verbal blows with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti through local media after he felt Real Madrid benefitted from ref mistakes to beat Celta Vigo and advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals last month.

Ancelotti answered by saying that maybe Simeone was still hurt by the losses that his Atletico Madrid suffered against Real Madrid through the years.

Real Madrid planned to go to the courts to have the audios of the VAR in the Espanyol match released, according to Spanish media.

The teams drew 1-1 in September at Metropolitano Stadium in their first Liga derby.

That match was interrupted for about 15 minutes after Atletico Madrid fans threw objects onto the field. The referee sent the players to the locker rooms near the 70th minute.

“It's always a special match, not just for us, but for them, too,” Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde said. “Hopefully we will be the ones celebrating. We know that we can take a big step forward by winning at the Bernabeu. It’s important to come out strong from the start.”

Ancelotti has problems in the defense because of injuries to Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba after the long-term ailments to Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal. The coach has improvised midfield players into the backline recently.

Atletico Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0 last weekend, and both Madrid clubs picked up midweek victories in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Atletico routed Getafe 5-0 on Tuesday with a brace by Giuliano Simeone, son of coach Diego Simeone. Real Madrid edged Leganes 3-2 on Wednesday with a stoppage-time goal by 20-year-old Gonzalo García.

Third-placed Barcelona, four points behind Real Madrid, visits 12th-placed Sevilla on Sunday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia, center, heads the ball to score his side's third goal past Leganes' goalkeeper Juan Soriano, left, during a Spanish Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, quarter-final soccer match between CD Leganes and Real Madrid at Butarque stadium, in Leganes, outside Madrid, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia, right, celebrates with teammate Brahim Diaz after scoring their side's third goal during a Spanish Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, quarter-final soccer match between CD Leganes and Real Madrid at Butarque stadium, in Leganes, outside Madrid, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

FILE - Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti stands by the touchline during the last minutes of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Manchester City won 4-0. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti sits at the bench prior a Spanish Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, quarter-final soccer match between CD Leganes and Real Madrid at Butarque stadium, in Leganes, outside Madrid, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone gives directions to his players during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Salzburg and Atletico Madrid at the Salzburg Arena in Salzburg, Austria, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III has been “deeply touched” by the response to his update on his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace said Saturday, adding that the monarch is pleased to have highlighted the value of screening programs for the disease.

Medics and health charities have praised the king for his openness, saying his statement on Friday had already prompted people to seek information about cancer.

In a strikingly personal video statement, the British monarch acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can feel “overwhelming,” but said catching the disease early brings “the precious gift of hope.”

Here’s what to know about the king's condition and his message.

The 77-year-old king said in a statement broadcast Friday that his treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders.’”

He encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs such as those for breast, bowel and cervical cancer offered by Britain’s public health service.

“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the king said in the statement aired during a “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon on TV station Channel 4. He said catching the disease early had allowed him “to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment.”

Charles has received outpatient treatment for almost two years. Buckingham Palace did not say the king is in remission, but that his treatment is moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.

“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” the king said in his video statement. “Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”

Charles announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and, in a break from centuries of secrecy about royal health, he has since spoken about the illness, using his story to promote cancer awareness and treatment.

The openness has limits, though. The king has not disclosed what type of cancer he has or what kind of treatment he is receiving. The palace said it was an intentional decision designed to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience.

The king’s cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. While doctors ruled out prostate cancer, tests revealed “a separate issue of concern,” palace officials said last year.

Charles suspended his public appearances for about two months after his diagnosis. Since returning to the public eye, he has visited cancer treatment centers across the country and shared stories with fellow patients.

Buckingham Palace said Charles “will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction" his message has generated. “He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programs,” it added.

British cancer charities said the number of people seeking information about cancer jumped after the king revealed he was undergoing treatment last year.

Cancer Research U.K. said about 100,000 people have visited its Screening Checker website since it was launched on Dec. 5, most of them since the king’s statement on Friday.

The charity's Chief Executive Michelle Mitchell said: “When public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health.”

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the king’s authorized biographer, said the statement was “a remarkable thing for a monarch to do.”

“It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives,’” Dimbleby said.

The Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis six weeks after her father-in-law, has also given updates on her treatment. Kate announced in January that her cancer is in remission.

Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/royalty

Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)