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