VAR audio from Real Madrid's controversial win over Almeria leaked

VAR audio from three controversial decisions in Real Madrid's dramatic 3-2 win over Almeria has been leaked.

Madrid were heavy favourites heading into their clash with La Liga's bottom club Almeria on Sunday, with the south coast side having travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu without a single win all season.

Despite this, Almeria managed to take a shock two goal lead heading into half-time thanks to goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez.

Los Blancos managed to claw their way back into the game following a sea of substitutions during the interval, and with the help of a number of controversial refereeing decisions.

The VAR discussions around each of the three decisions which have sparked debate in Spain have now been leaked by Gerard Romano...

Penalty decision

The first decision was arguably the least controversial of all, with referee Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso opting to award a penalty - which Jude Bellingham duly converted - to Real Madrid early in the second half after the flicked up off of an Almeria defender's hand.

"Fran, I'm going to recommend an on-field review so that you can assess a possible penalty due to a handball by the Almeria defender," said the VAR official in the leaked audio.

"I also put you high behind so you can see it in context and the separation between players."

"Perfect," replies Measo. "The Madrid player finishes and hits the separated arm, with the Almería defender occupying a space. I'm going to call a penalty without a card."

Almeria disallowed goal

The VAR review to disallow an Almeria goal which would've made the scoreline 3-1 after Lopy was adjudged to have fouled Bellingham in the build-up.

"Come see it, Fran," the VAR official told the referee. "I recommend an on-field review for a possible foul in attack in the action of the goal. Go to the short table. Short table. High close up. Go to the point of contact. A little further back. Continue further back. There it has already impacted him. Further back. come on, put a loop on it."

After reviewing the footage, Maeso said: "I'm going to call a foul in favour of Real Madrid, I'm going to annul the goal and signal yellow to Almeria's number six."

Vinicius handball goal

The most controversial decision of all came in the 67th minute when Vinicius Junior blatantly used his upper arm to stab the ball into the net to draw Madrid level.

Despite a lengthy review, the goal amazingly stood, giving Los Blancos the platform to go an win the game via a 99th minute goal from Dani Carvajal.

"I recommend an on-field review so that you can assess the non-hand, the possible non-hand. Give me the reverse right. Stop at the contact point," the VAR official explained.

"It hits him on the right shoulder, there you have it," said Maeso. "It hits him on the shoulder. You assess the possible foul in attack."

"I agree with you and the ball hits my shoulder. Give me high behind. One more frame," replied the VAR official.

"Perfect, he hits it with his shoulder and it's a valid goal. I'm going to signal a goal, there's no foul," concluded Maeso.

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