Real Madrid penalty appeal rejected after Alejandro Balde handball

Real Madrid were not entitled to a penalty for Alejandro Balde’s handball during their 2-1 victory over Barcelona in Sunday’s La Liga El Clasico, refereeing expert Iturralde Gonzalez has said.

Real Madrid players appealed in the second half after Balde’s hand appeared to be struck by the ball during a challenge with Kylian Mbappe inside the Barcelona penalty area.

However, referee Juan Martinez Munuera dismissed the claims during the match at Spotify Camp Nou.

Speaking to newspaper AS and radio station Cadena SER, Gonzalez said the incident did not meet the criteria for a punishable handball.

“There is nothing unnatural about it; it is simply a football incident,” he said. “Both players were competing for the ball, and it hit Balde’s hand, which was positioned low on his body.”

He added: “His arm was in a natural position while competing for the ball. It is true that the ball touched his hand, but this handball should not be punished.”