The Spanish Technical Committee of Referees has confirmed that Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez made the correct decision during Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Real Betis, despite controversy surrounding a late penalty.
Kylian Mbappe missed from the spot in the 94th minute, with replays appearing to show Real Betis defender Marc Bartra inside the penalty area before the France forward struck the ball. However, the committee concluded that the penalty did not need to be retaken.
According to Cope, the refereeing authority reviewed the incident and determined that the decision on the field was correct. Its explanation was that only one of Bartra’s feet was beyond the penalty-area line and, at the moment Mbappe took the kick, that foot had not yet made contact with the playing surface.
That detail was central to the ruling. Although Bartra appeared to have moved into the area on the available replays, the committee considered his position at the precise instant the penalty was taken. Because the foot outside the line was still in the air, the incident did not meet the criteria required for the spot-kick to be retaken.
Hernandez Hernandez therefore did not need to order a second attempt, and Mbappe’s miss remained valid. The clarification supports the referee’s original interpretation of the incident and rejects the suggestion that Real Madrid should have been given another opportunity from 12 yards.
The decision proved costly for Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho’s side were unable to recover and were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis.
It was Real Madrid’s first setback of the current La Liga campaign, with the late penalty representing the team’s final chance to avoid defeat. Mbappe’s failure to convert meant the visitors left without a goal, while the refereeing decision became the main focus after the match.
The committee’s assessment does not change the result, but it provides an official explanation for why the penalty was allowed to stand as taken. In its view, Bartra’s position did not require a retake because the only foot beyond the penalty-area line had not touched the ground when Mbappe made contact with the ball.
As a result, Real Madrid’s 0-1 defeat remains unchanged, and the incident is now regarded by the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees as a correct application of the rules by Hernandez Hernandez.