Real Madrid News
Just in – FIFA agrees with referee’s decision to disallow Arda Guler’s goal vs Mallorca
According to an update from Mundo Deportivo, FIFA has given its complete backing to referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martínez after he disallowed Arda Guler’s goal against Mallorca.
It is to be noted that the decision was made following intervention from VAR and a monitor review, and it has since been confirmed to be in line with the rules of the game.
The controversial moment came in the 54th minute when Guler’s effort would have made it 3-1 for Real Madrid.
Initially, Martinez allowed the goal to stand, but VAR official Juan Luis Pulido Santana advised him to review the play.
After watching the footage, the referee ruled the goal out, citing an “accidental and immediate handball.”
The rule specifies that a goal must be disallowed if it is scored “directly with the hand or arm, even if the action occurs accidentally, including the goalkeeper” or “immediately after the ball touches the hand or arm, even accidentally.”
Debate over decision and FIFA’s final word
In the hours after the match, debate quickly spread. Some questioned whether the action truly fit the definition of an accidental handball, since the ball had rebounded off Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman before Guler’s final strike.
To put the matter beyond doubt, Spain’s refereeing body (CTA) requested confirmation from FIFA.
The governing body fully endorsed the referee’s ruling, supporting both Sánchez Martínez and Pulido Santana’s judgment.
The CTA later issued a circular clarifying how such incidents should be judged under IFAB regulations. It highlighted that an accidental handball can only be ignored if the player clearly gains control and possession before scoring.
It stated: “GOAL AFTER ACCIDENTAL, NON-IMMEDIATE HANDJOB. The player who scores a goal after the ball accidentally touches his hand or arm, but the action is not immediate because the ball is carried for a certain distance.”
In Guler’s case, there was no controlled possession. Instead, there were two immediate strikes – the second coming after Roman’s rebound.
For this reason, FIFA concluded that the referee’s call was correct in every respect.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
