Iturralde Gonzalez explains why Real Madrid’s penalty appeal was rejected in Barcelona win

Real Madrid’s second-half appeal for a penalty in Sunday’s clasico against Barcelona was correctly dismissed, according to former referee and officiating expert Iturralde Gonzalez.

Real Madrid defeated their rivals 2-1 in the first La Liga clasico of the season at Spotify Camp Nou, with referee Juan Martinez Munuera choosing not to award a spot-kick during the match.

The incident came in the 69th minute, when Real Madrid players claimed Alejandro Balde had handled the ball inside the Barcelona penalty area while challenging Kylian Mbappe.

However, Gonzalez said the contact did not constitute an offence. Speaking to AS and Cadena SER, he described the incident as a normal contest for possession.

“There is nothing unnatural about it; it is simply a footballing action,” Gonzalez said. “Both players were competing for the ball, and it struck Balde’s hand, which was positioned low on his body.”

He added: “His arm was in a natural position for competing for the ball. It is true that the ball touched his hand, but this handball does not warrant punishment.”