During the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, a controversial moment in the 13th minute sparked heated debate. The match, which went into halftime at 0-0, saw Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio come under scrutiny for a potential handball after a powerful shot from Arsenal’s Declan Rice just outside the box.
Rice’s shot struck Asencio’s hand at close range inside Madrid’s penalty area, prompting loud appeals from Arsenal players and fans for a penalty. The incident was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who studied multiple camera angles to assess whether the on-field decision by referee Irfan Pelto needed to be overturned.
After a thorough review, VAR chose not to recommend a penalty, and Pelto was not asked to view the incident on the pitch-side monitor. This outcome, aired live to a global audience, led to mixed reactions, especially among Arsenal supporters who felt their team had been unfairly denied a spot-kick.
To bring clarity to the situation, former Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez offered his professional insight. He concluded that, in his view, the handball did not meet the criteria for a penalty under current rules.
He explained that Asencio’s hand was down and in a natural position, emphasizing the short distance between Rice and Asencio at the time of the shot. “It’s not a penalty because his hand was lowered and the shot came from just half a meter away,” Iturralde said. “He didn’t have time to react, and the hand didn’t make his body unnaturally bigger.”
Iturralde’s analysis supports the VAR decision, indicating that the contact wasn’t a clear handball offense. His explanation sheds light on how referees evaluate such incidents — focusing on arm position, body shape, and reaction time.
The situation highlights how handball decisions remain subjective and divisive, especially in high-profile matches. While Arsenal fans may feel hard done by, the expert view from Iturralde helps explain why no penalty was given and reflects the fine margins involved in interpreting the rules at the top level of the game.
