In the penultimate ‘Review Time’ of the season, the Technical Committee of Referees examines a potential foul by Kylian Mbappe on Carmona during Vinicius’ goal and an overlooked penalty involving Kike Salas and the Brazilian.
Matchday 37 of La Liga was not without controversy, as the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) dissected key incidents from the Sevilla-Real Madrid encounter during their regular segment, ‘Review Time’, on Tuesday.
One of the focal points was Vinicius Jr’s goal, which stemmed from an assist by Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman attempted to control the ball against Jose Angel Carmona, and the CTA noted an elbow from Mbappe that could have been classified as a foul.
“The referee interpreted the arm movement as a natural action to shield space during the challenge, finding no excessive intensity or recklessness to justify an offensive foul. Consequently, the goal was allowed,” the review explained.
However, the CTA added: “The action could be considered a foul due to the attacker’s use of the arm, which disadvantaged the opponent in the challenge. While it occurred within the dynamics of the game, there are grounds to penalise it as an offensive foul prior to the goal.”
Despite acknowledging the potential foul, the referees emphasised that the final decision rested with Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez. They deemed the video assistant referee (VAR) correct in not intervening: “Under VAR protocol, this is an interpretable action regarding the intensity and nature of the contact, not a clear and obvious error. Therefore, the VAR’s non-intervention was appropriate.”
Penalty on Vinicius overlooked
The CTA also reviewed a penalty incident involving Kike Salas and Vinicius Jr. that went uncalled. In the 35th minute, Vinicius dribbled past Castrin, only for Sevilla’s other centre-back to lunge in aggressively. While Salas cleared the ball, he followed through and struck the Brazilian’s knee.
“For the CTA, the action could be deemed reckless, warranting a penalty and a yellow card,” the Committee stated. However, as with Mbappe’s elbow, they supported the on-field decision, citing Sanchez Martinez’s judgement.
“Given the play’s interpretative nature, where the intensity of the contact allows for differing evaluations, the referee’s decision must prevail. In line with VAR philosophy, this does not constitute a clear, obvious, and manifest error, so the VAR’s non-intervention is deemed correct,” the referees concluded in this penultimate ‘Review Time’ of the season.
