Arbitral Controversy: Even Madrid Surprised by the Penalty?
The recent elimination of Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League against Real Madrid continues to generate controversy. The annulment of Julián Álvarez’s penalty goal, due to an alleged double touch after a slip, has raised blisters, and apparently, not only among Colchoneros fans.
According to sources close to the matter, even Real Madrid players were surprised by referee Szymon Marciniak’s decision! Apparently, several footballers from the White club, in private conversations with Atleti players after the match, confessed their astonishment at the annulment.
They found it an extreme measure, uncommon in elite football. Although some Real Madrid players protested the action to the referee at the time, others privately acknowledged the oddity of the situation.
This gesture, although not publicly acknowledged by Real Madrid, contrasts with the discourse of arbitral victimhood that is sometimes perceived from the capital.
The good relationship between players from both teams, teammates in national teams such as France (Griezmann, Tchouameni, Camavinga) and Uruguay (Giménez, Valverde), would have facilitated these sincere conversations.
From a legal point of view, the annulment of Julián Álvarez’s goal seems questionable. According to interpretations, IFAB rule 14 does not prohibit the double touch itself, but rather playing the ball again after putting it into play, which did not happen in the player’s action.
It is said that Atlético de Madrid could have challenged the penalty shootout, with a high probability of success. However, the Rojiblanca board chose not to escalate the situation, accepting the defeat despite the controversy.
