Atletico Madrid send letter to Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois demanding apology

Atletico Madrid have sent a letter to Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois demanding an apology and for him to correct his behaviour towards them.

Before he was at Real, Courtois was on the other side of the Madrid derby and played 154 times for Atletico.

He won La Liga, the Europa League and Copa Del Rey for Los Rojiblancos but never joined permanently, instead returning to becoming Chelsea's No.1 goalkeeper.

Courtois was heralded for his performances with a plaque outside the Wanda Metropolitano. But when he went back to the Spanish capital and signed for rivals Real, the word 'Rata' was sprayed across it, while some fans spat and poured beer on the plaque.

He was even subjected to toy rats being thrown at him by Atleti fans in the derby and has irked them for the way in which he has spoke about the club.

Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, Courtois said: “It was different for me (in the 2014 final). When Real Madrid play a final, they win it, so now I’m on the right side of history.”

In September, he coldly showed fans his Champions League trophy tattoo after taunts during the warm-up.

The club, as well as the supporters, are not happy with Courtois and it's emerged that have threatened to take away his plaque if he does not say sorry and improve his attitude.

🚨| OFFICIAL: Atlético Madrid have sent a letter to Thibaut Courtois informing him that if he does not correct and apologize for his attitude towards the club, his plaque will be removed. pic.twitter.com/dJzoucMOhG

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 11, 2023

As per Javi Gomara of Mundo Deportivo, Courtois has responded to the letter but Atleti's "social commission" are still not best pleased and talks are ongoing between the parties.

Following up on that, Javi Gomez from Cadena Cope claims the Belgium goalkeeper Courtois does not wish to apology and does not feel he has to.

🚨| Thibaut Courtois does not want to apologize for anything he did to Atleti, because he understands that he doesn't have to. 🇧🇪❌

[@JaviGomezCh] pic.twitter.com/Gn28iLsYGM

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 12, 2023

In June, Atleti fans removed Courtois' plaque after his Man of the Match performance for Real in the Champions League final over Liverpool.

He made a total of nine saves to thwart the Reds as Real won a 14th European Cup. But then Atletico president Enrique Cerezo controversially told fans, "If you want to remove Courtois’ plaque, go with an axe and shovel and remove it”.

Some decided to listen to him and emerged of supporters getting rid of the metal plate.

❝Les fans veulent que la plaque de Courtois soit retirée du Wanda ? Si vous voulez l'enlever, allez avec une pelle et déterrez-le.❞

— Enrique Cerezo 🗣️

NOS SUPPORTERS L’ONT VRAIMENT RETIRÉ 😭😭❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dpnc7ZKB2P

— Atleti Francia 🇫🇷 (@AtletiFrancia) May 30, 2022

It's since been restored by Atletico but it could well be getting taken out permanently in the near future.