Headline: Real Madrid’s Penalty Overturned Following VAR Review in Match Against Racing Santander
In a pivotal moment during the match between Real Madrid and Racing Santander, referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero overturned a penalty originally awarded for a handball by Aurelien Tchouameni. This incident occurred in the 71st minute at El Sardinero, when Munuera deemed that Tchouameni had handled the ball.
However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, led by Luis Mario Milla, intervened, prompting Munuera to review the footage on the pitchside monitor. The VAR communication specified: “Jose Luis, I recommend you review the footage to consider cancelling the penalty you’ve awarded, please.”
As Munuera approached the monitor, he reassured Racing’s manager, Jose Alberto, stating, “I’m going to have a look, Jose Alberto, I’m going to have a look. Jose Alberto, don’t worry, I’m going to check it.” During the review, the VAR officials pointed out that Tchouameni had deliberately played the ball before it struck his hand.
They clarified to the referee: “Right, we can see that the Real Madrid player, Tchouameni, played the ball deliberately and it subsequently struck his hand; therefore, we consider this to be a ‘play-in’.” Munuera requested additional views, asking for clearer footage and a longer duration. After extensive examination, he confirmed with the VAR official, “We understand, Luis Mario, that at no point did the Racing player touch the ball.”
Following the review, Munuera made his final determination on the penalty. He stated, “As only the Real Madrid player touched the ball and played it towards his hand, we consider that it is not a penalty because it is a ‘play-in-play’ situation. Therefore, I’m ruling no penalty; the ball is in the goalkeeper’s hands.”
Munuera’s decision sparked frustration among the home supporters at El Sardinero, who had anticipated a chance for Racing to equalize. The discontent in the stands increased, culminating in one spectator throwing a lighter onto the pitch. The emotional response stemmed in part from the earlier penalty awarded to Real Madrid, which Kylian Mbappe converted to give his team a 1-0 lead.
