The most controversial of Real Madrid’s three disallowed goals against Mallorca was Arda Güler’s strike. The RFEF and LaLiga later released the audio from the VAR review, in which Pulido Santana can be heard advising referee Sánchez Martínez to check a possible handball by the Turkish player.

“I recommend a review so you can assess a potential handball in order to disallow the goal. In my opinion, the handball exists and there is a certain immediacy to the play,” said the VAR referee in the published audio.

Sánchez Martínez is also heard explaining the incident to Xabi Alonso before proceeding to the pitchside monitor:

“I want to see the handball up close, and you’re leaving it very still. Stop it at the point of contact. Perfect, now extend it, and I want to evaluate the immediacy of the action… The handball is accidental and immediate. I’m going to disallow the goal,” stated the referee to justify his decision.

The disallowed goal further fueled Real Madrid’s frustration, especially given the controversy earlier that day in Vitoria, where an almost identical handball by Giuliano Simeone was allowed to stand for Atlético against Deportivo Alavés.

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