Technical panel backs Balde handball call but says Cancelo should have been booked

The Spanish Football Federation’s Technical Refereeing Committee has ruled that Real Madrid were correct not to receive a penalty for a handball by Alejandro Balde in Sunday’s clasico, but said Joao Cancelo should have been cautioned for his challenge on Yan Diomande.

Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou after the two incidents became the main talking points of the match.

Real Madrid appealed for Cancelo to be sent off following his challenge on Diomande, while also asking for a penalty when the ball struck Balde’s arm.

The committee reviewed both decisions on the programme Review Time, analysing the work of referee Martinez Munuera during the game.

On the handball incident, the match official could be heard saying: “He is in a natural position, his hand is down in a natural position,” after seeing the ball hit Balde’s arm.

The committee agreed with that assessment, stating in the video analysis: “The ball hit the defender’s arm accidentally and the referee’s decision was correct.”

However, its assessment of the Cancelo challenge differed from the referee’s decision. The panel said Cancelo should have been shown a yellow card after making contact with Diomande’s leg.

The committee described the incident as “a reckless challenge”, explaining that “Cancelo made partial contact with Diomande’s leg, without excessive force or excessive roughness”.

Martinez Munuera did not award a foul after the challenge, despite Diomande falling to the ground after experiencing muscular pain.