A soccer referee on the field makes a silence gesture while a player from the team in red and white uniform kicks the ball. — Marciniak with the whistle in his mouth and Julián Álvarez taking the penalty kick | Real Madrid Confidencial

Camara — Marciniak with the whistle in his mouth and Julián Álvarez taking the penalty kick | Real Madrid Confidencial

Marciniak, Derby Referee, Clarifies the Reason He Canceled Julián's Penalty

The Referee of the Derby Has Finally Spoken and Points Out What Really Happened in the Shootout

14/03/2025 10:55:00h

Borja Díaz

Hours have passed, but far from subsiding, the controversy continues to dominate the headlines. From Atlético, they complain because Julián Álvarez's penalty was annulled despite him touching the ball twice. They are trying to sell the idea of a referee robbery, although they are not telling the whole truth.

The spotlight is, therefore, on Marciniak, who was the referee of the classic and has finally decided to speak. He has commented on the controversial annulled shot by the Argentine forward. Especially because some have indicated that it was reviewed because Mbappé was the first to protest the play.

A player in a red and white uniform kicks a ball in a stadium full of spectators.

Julian Alvarez at the Moment of Striking the Penalty | Real Madrid Confidencial

“I was the one who told the VAR that there was a 99% probability that Álvarez touched the ball twice,” Marciniak stated. Moreover, although some criticize the speed with which the decision was made, it was not so. The referee indicated that “they reviewed it thoroughly,” so they have no excuses.

Additionally, he also wanted to put an end to all those theories suggesting that it was Kylian who prompted the review. “It is absolutely false that Mbappé told me anything about two touches,” he concluded. So they can't use that either, which was something they were trying to sell.

Atlético Doesn't Accept the Elimination and Tries to Make Excuses with the Refereeing

It is true that it is very cruel for Real Madrid to win in the penalty shootout at the Metropolitano for the colchoneros. Even more so if this happened due to a slip by Julián Álvarez that made him touch the ball twice. However, Atlético doesn't accept the elimination and tries to make excuses.

A player in a red and white uniform celebrates on the field while the opposing team watches from the background.

Julián Álvarez on the Ground After Taking the Canceled Penalty | Real Madrid Confidencial

They do so with a rule they cling to, in a free interpretation, to even request to challenge the match. But the worst part is that they are trying to hide the other controversial refereeing decisions that occurred. Two penalties and a possible expulsion of Lenglet that clearly favored them.

However, they remain determined to dwell on Marciniak's decision regarding Julián's penalty. Neither the explanations nor the demonstrations from UEFA have satisfied them. Let's see if the same happens with other controversies like Tchouaméni's penalty on Lino.

➡️ First Team