Real Madrid News
New IFAB rule proves Mbappe’s penalty should have been retaken during Betis vs Real Madrid
The controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s missed penalty against Real Betis has taken another turn, with the new IFAB rules for the 2026/27 season indicating that the spot-kick should have been retaken.
Real Madrid were trailing 1-0 at La Cartuja when Alvaro Valles saved Mbappe’s penalty in the closing stages.
Marc Bartra then cleared the rebound, immediately prompting protests from the Madrid players because the Betis defender appeared to have entered the area before the kick was taken.
The initial argument against a retake centred on Bartra being airborne. He had not yet placed his feet on the ground inside the penalty area when Mbappe struck the ball.
That detail, though, does not settle the matter under the rules now in force.
The new rule changes the Bartra argument
IFAB’s 2026/27 Laws of the Game clarify how an airborne player’s position is determined.
If a player is in the air, their position is established by the projected position of their feet as though they were touching the ground.
That is crucial in this incident, as Bartra did not need to have his feet physically touching the turf inside the box for his position to count as an encroachment.
If his projected foot position was inside the penalty area when Mbappe struck the ball, he was considered to have entered the area before the kick.
There is another important element: impact.
Bartra’s involvement after the save matters
Under the updated Law 14, a defending player’s encroachment only leads to a retake when it has an impact.
The law specifically provides for a penalty to be retaken when defending encroachment has an impact after a saved kick.
Bartra’s role makes that particularly relevant. Valles saved the penalty, but Bartra then cleared the rebound before Mbappe could get to it.
Journalist Eduardo Iturralde made the same distinction when discussing the incident on El Larguero.
“I think the CTA [Technical Committee of Referees] is going to say that it didn’t have to be repeated, but as the rule is written, it has to be repeated.”
The controversy has a different answer now
The important point is that Bartra being airborne does not automatically mean he was legally outside the area.
The 2026/27 clarification specifically addresses airborne positioning, and his subsequent intervention provides the potential impact required under Law 14.
Therefore, provided the footage confirms that Bartra’s projected foot position was inside the penalty area when Mbappe took the kick, the new rules support a retake.
Real Madrid News
Manchester United launch final push to sign Real Madrid outcast; club resists permanent exit
Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Endrick as the Brazilian forward’s future at Real Madrid becomes increasingly uncertain, with a potential January loan move emerging as a solution to his lack of regular playing time.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Manchester United are making a final push to convince the 19-year-old to join them.
However, negotiations could prove complicated because the Premier League club is interested in including a purchase option in the deal, while Real Madrid are not currently planning to give up permanent control of the striker.
Endrick’s limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season have opened the door to a temporary departure, with AC Milan and Tottenham also emerging as potential destinations.
Why Manchester United want Endrick?
Manchester United are looking for greater attacking productivity and believe Endrick could provide a different dimension to their forward line.
The Premier League club has also been linked with the Brazilian in the past, as they assess options to improve their goalscoring output after a poor start to the season.
Notably, his situation at Real Madrid makes a move more plausible, as Endrick has struggled to secure consistent minutes, and the club is considering a loan that would give him the chance to play regularly.
However, United’s preferred terms could become the biggest obstacle.
The English side reportedly wants the option to buy Endrick at the end of the loan, potentially giving them a route to a permanent transfer if he impresses.
Real Madrid reject permanent Endrick exit
Real Madrid’s preference is understood to be a straightforward loan without a purchase option.
The club want Endrick to gain experience elsewhere before returning to compete for a place in the squad, rather than risk losing a young forward they have invested in for the future.
His previous loan spell at Lyon provides a possible model for another temporary move, although any agreement would depend on the terms offered and the player’s own preferences.
Manchester United are prepared to make an attractive financial proposal in an effort to secure his arrival, but money alone may not resolve the disagreement if Real Madrid remain unwilling to include a purchase clause.
