A refereeing expert reveals to Koora: did Real Madrid deserve a penalty against Rayo Vallecano?
A former referee comments on the controversial incident
Refereeing expert Bruno Paixão has revealed his opinion on the penalty awarded to Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano during the two sides' La Liga match.
Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a big 4-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening in the fifth round of La Liga.
Álvaro Carreras set off down the left flank in the 13th minute and burst into the penalty area before visiting defender Florian Lejeune made a challenge.
Spanish referee Víctor Verdura pointed to the spot, and Kylian Mbappé buried the opener.
Rayo Vallecano's players surrounded the referee and demanded he consult his colleague in the VAR room, arguing the defender had not stepped on Carreras's foot in a manner that warranted a penalty.
Former Portuguese referee Bruno Paixão disagreed. In exclusive comments to Kooora, he insisted "the referee's decision was correct".
He explained: "Carreras played the ball first, while the defender committed a clear foul against him. That is why the referee's decision was correct."
Spain's referees' committee will reveal its own verdict on the controversial incident once the fifth round of La Liga is complete, through its weekly programme "Time of Review".
Who is Bruno Paixão?
Born in 1974, Bruno Paixão ranks among the most prominent former Portuguese referees. He officiated in a number of major competitions during his career, including the Portuguese league alongside various European contests.
His refereeing career began in 1990 and lasted until 2018. He took charge of his first match in the Portuguese Primeira Liga in 1997, before making a name for himself on the domestic and continental scene.
Paixão held his international badge between 2004 and 2012. He also earned a place among UEFA's elite category of referees during the 2012-2013 season, officiating throughout his career in matches across various domestic and international competitions.
Away from the pitch, he worked as an engineer in industrial production, combining that career with his long service in refereeing.
