The Italian coach said Torres cheated the referee and got Real defender Sergio Ramos sent-off with an undeserved second yellow card, calling on the Spanish federation to punish the international striker.

But Capello made a U-turn after a few hours and said he was sorry if his remarks were found offensive.

"I usually like to talk about football rather than offending others. If my comments were offensive, I apologize," he was quoted as saying by Spanish paper Marca.

Atletico looked on their way to beat their city rivals when they took the lead in the sixth minute through Mista.

Real captain Raul Gonzales notched his first domestic goal in a year to level the score.

With the home side expecting to go ahead anytime, Ramos, who had collected a first booking for handling the ball, was handed his second caution for allegedly pushing Torres while in the air.

Capello said his remarks were an extension to his war on diving that he was dedicated to at his times in Serie A.

"In Italy, I was always denouncing players who dive. I don't like this way in gaining advantage," he said.