All the controversies of Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid: referee decisions, bookings, penalties

These are the controversial and disputed incidents from Matchday 24 of LaLiga EA Sports, reviewed and analysed by Iturralde González, referee for AS and Cadena SER.

Osasuna vs Real Madrid

The controversy at El Sadar came in the 34th minute, when Budimir went down in Madrid’s penalty area following a challenge involving Asencio and Courtois. At first, the referee showed the Croatian a yellow card for simulation, but he was called over by VAR and, after reviewing the footage, awarded a penalty. It did not look like a penalty initially, but the replay showed that Courtois stepped on Budimir. The decision was correct and the yellow card for Budimir was rescinded.

While the incident was being reviewed by VAR, several objects were thrown into Madrid’s penalty area. Courtois handed one of them to the referee so that he could make a note of it. It was a small bottle, single-serve size. The referee informed the stadium delegate so that a public announcement could activate the relevant protocol for such situations.

Betis vs Rayo

The most significant controversial moment of the match at La Cartuja came after the 85th minute. In an attempt to clear the ball from Valentín Gómez, Ratiu went to ground. The Betis player cleared the ball but caught the Rayo full-back on the ankle with his studs. After several minutes of uncertainty, Martínez Munuera was called by the VAR room. After reviewing the footage on the screen, he decided there was no infringement.

For Iturralde González: “For me, given the way the ball was contested, I lean more towards a red card than a yellow. And in addition, from the images shown, the Rayo player was standing on the edge of the box, so it should have been a penalty.”

“Circular 3 talks about unavoidable contact after challenging for the ball, but it stresses that the contact cannot be reckless or involve excessive force. In this case, I see the action as excessive force, with even a twist of the attacker’s ankle.”

Real Sociedad vs Oviedo

The first controversial incident had to wait until the second half. After 48 minutes, Oyarzabal was brought down by Bailly following a poor back pass to his goalkeeper. The referee, Munuera Montero, considered there was no foul and allowed play to continue despite protests from the Real Sociedad bench. For Iturralde González, the outcome should have been very different: “If it is anything, it is outside the area and it would be a red card. For me it is a foul. He makes a poor pass back to the keeper, puts his arm over him and does not allow Oyarzabal to continue. It is a foul, it is outside, but it would be a red card.”

In the 72nd minute, Yangel Herrera collided with Reina, who had to leave the pitch injured. “It is a red card,” rules Iturralde. VAR did not consider it necessary to call Munuera Montero to review the incident.

Athletic vs Elche

The first somewhat controversial moment at San Mamés came after the 65th minute. Valera made a run down the left and was tracked parallel by Lekue, who made contact with the heel of the Elche player’s left leg after he had already delivered the cross into the box. The referee Hernández Hernández awarded a penalty despite complaints from the Athletic players. For Iturralde González, there is no doubt: “He goes to block the pass and steps on his heel from behind recklessly.”

The most controversial moment came after the 85th minute. Laporte attempted a low header and Elche captain Bigas struck him on the head with his right leg. After being alerted by the VAR room, Hernández Hernández reviewed the footage on the screen and awarded a penalty. Iturralde González sees it this way: “It is a very difficult incident to assess. The Athletic player heads the ball and the Elche player, trying to clear it, ends up striking the header on the head. Here you have to assess whether it could be dangerous play by Laporte for lowering his head below waist height, or reckless play by the defender, in which case, even though the contact comes after the header, because it is reckless it is a penalty. The laws do not specify the height at which challenging for the ball becomes dangerous play.

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Referees tend to use as a reference whether there is anyone nearby contesting the ball, and if there is a challenge, that you do not lower your head below waist height.”

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