CTA admits mistake in Mbappe penalty case but defends VAR: ‘No conclusive evidence to penalise the action’ | OneFootball

The fallout from Real Madrid’s clash with Girona continues to dominate headlines, with Spain’s refereeing body stepping in to clarify one of the most debated moments of the weekend. 

The incident involving Kylian Mbappe in the dying minutes has now been reviewed in detail, offering fresh insight into why no penalty was awarded on the pitch.

The analysis came through ‘Tiempo de Revisión’, a programme produced by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), which breaks down key refereeing decisions across La Liga fixtures. 

Their focus this time was the 88th-minute moment when Girona defender Vitor Reis made contact with Mbappe as the forward looked set to break through on goal.

What’s the verdict?

It must be noted that at the time, on-field referee Alberola Rojas chose not to award a penalty. 

Despite Mbappe going down and appealing, the decision stood after a brief check with VAR, a call that has since divided opinion among fans and pundits alike.

The CTA’s official analysis attempted to explain the complexity of the situation and why it was not overturned during the match.

“There is contact with the striker’s face and, almost simultaneously, contact with the attacker’s standing leg. All of this stems from the momentum and inertia of the play. 

“As a result of this challenge, the attacking player falls to the ground. The referee, correctly positioned and with a direct view of the play, decides to let play continue. 

“This is a situation where different interpretations are possible. The referee may interpret the contacts observed as resulting from the players’ own collisions and the natural movement following the cut-in. 

“He does not perceive a clearly negligent gesture or the use of the arm with sufficient force to warrant a punishable foul. 

“The referee makes a decision based on his judgement in the heat of the moment, considering that there is no conclusive evidence to penalise the action and opting to let play continue.”

More explanation from the CTA

However, the CTA did not completely dismiss the possibility of a foul. 

In fact, upon further technical review, they acknowledged that the defender’s actions could indeed be viewed as punishable under a different interpretation.

Breaking down the physical nature of the challenge, the refereeing body admitted that the use of the arm played a significant role in disrupting Mbappe’s run.

“The challenge can be regarded as reckless, as the defender used an arm that ended up striking the attacker in the face during the course of the challenge. 

“The defending player, with his arm extended backwards to gain space following the forward’s cut inside, strikes the forward’s face recklessly, creating an obstacle for the attacker who loses the opportunity to continue with the ball at his disposal.”

Backing the VAR team

Despite that admission, the CTA ultimately backed the VAR team’s decision not to intervene, citing the strict protocol that governs video reviews in football.

They emphasised that the threshold for overturning a decision was not met in this case.

“It is liable to be penalised as a penalty. 

“As this is a clearly interpretative decision in which no clear and obvious error can be discerned in the decision taken by the on-field referee, the VAR acted correctly in not intervening. 

“In accordance with the VAR protocol, a review is only warranted when there is indisputable evidence that would allow a clearly erroneous decision to be corrected.”

The explanation, while detailed, is unlikely to end the debate. For Real Madrid, it is yet another moment this season where fine margins and refereeing interpretations have played a decisive role. 

Source: Mundo Deportivo