VAR audio from Real Madrid match released: “Fine, I’m cancelling the penalty”
The RFEF has released the VAR audio behind Málaga’s cancelled penalty against Real Madrid. Hear why the referee reversed his decision.
The Spanish Football Federation has released the officials’ conversation surrounding Málaga’s cancelled penalty during their 4–0 defeat to Real Madrid. The recording explains exactly why referee Juan Martínez Munuera reversed his original decision.
The incident occurred late in the match. Antonio Rüdiger headed the ball towards Yan Diomande following a set piece, with the ball subsequently striking the defender’s arm. Martínez Munuera immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
VAR official Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez then recommended an on-field review.
“Juan, I recommend a review so that you can analyse a potential cancellation of the penalty,” the VAR told the referee.
After watching the replay, Martínez Munuera identified the decisive detail: Rüdiger had headed the ball towards Diomande before it struck the defender’s arm.
“Fine, it’s Rüdiger. Rüdiger heads it towards Diomande. Fine, I’m cancelling the penalty,” the referee said.
The decision is consistent with the current criteria issued by Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees. Handball should not normally be penalised when the ball reaches a defender unexpectedly after a deflection or touch from another player, particularly if the arm is in a natural position and provides no significant tactical benefit.
The incident was recorded in the official match report as a VAR decision for no Málaga penalty in the 86th minute. Real Madrid were leading 3–0 at the time, before Arda Güler completed the scoring in added time.
The released audio concerns only the Diomande handball incident. It does not address the earlier complaints made by Málaga coach Juanfran Funes, who also questioned the build-up to Jude Bellingham’s opening goal.
On this occasion, there is no need to reconstruct the discussion from gestures or television images. The federation has published the conversation, and the reason for overturning the penalty is clear: Rüdiger’s header came first, Diomande’s arm second.
