Here are the key controversial plays from LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 36, reviewed and analyzed by Iturralde González, referee expert for AS and Cadena SER.
**Osasuna vs. Atlético Madrid**
Early in the first half, referee Guzmán Mansilla needed VAR assistance to award a penalty in favor of Atlético. Griezmann collected a rebound in the area and tried to dribble past Galán, but the defender blocked the ball with his left arm. Iturralde was clear: “The key is that his arm is behind his body, and when he sees the ball, instinctively or not, he lifts it upward. It’s a penalty.” The movement of the full-back gave it away: “If his arm were down and he didn’t move it, even if the ball hit him, it wouldn’t have been a penalty. But he moves it.” Iturralde added, “He was booked because the referee believed Griezmann could score, making it a promising attack.”
Just before halftime, VAR again helped Guzmán. Musso came out to punch the ball clear, and the referee initially awarded a penalty for an alleged hit on Budimir. “There’s nothing. It’s Budimir who heads the ball into the goalkeeper’s body. The referee made a mistake, but VAR correctly called him over,” Iturralde analyzed on Carrusel. After reviewing the monitor, the referee correctly overturned the penalty.
In the second half, Lucas Torró risked a red card for pulling Lookman’s hair. “Whether it’s intentional or not, only Torró knows, and most infractions are unintentional. Here, he grabbed very high, and that’s a red card. VAR should call him for it,” Iturralde said.
**Betis vs. Elche**
A key moment at La Cartuja just before halftime. With the score 1-1, referee Isidro Díaz de Mera disallowed an Elche goal that would have made it 1-2 for the visitors. He ruled it out for a handball that shouldn’t have been called, according to Iturralde González: “It’s a legal goal! It’s an involuntary handball, and then there’s a cross. It would be illegal only if the player who touched the ball with his hand scored the goal. That’s not the case.” The former international referee explained further: “This cannot be considered a voluntary handball; the player doesn’t occupy extra space or make himself bigger. Therefore, the goal can only be disallowed if the same player who handled the ball scores. Since that player crossed it (as happened), the immediate effect is lost, so it should be a legal goal.”
