An explanation for the controversial decision not to afford Real Madrid a 2nd penalty opportunity in the closing moments of their meeting with Real Betis on Friday has come to the fore online.

For those who may have missed it, one of the first major dramas of the new La Liga season took place at La Cartuja a short time ago. After Real Madrid found themselves in a one-goal hole in injury-time at Real Betis, Los Blancos were afforded the chance to level things up from the penalty spot.

Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards, but saw his weak effort comfortably kept out by Álvaro Valles.

From here, Manuel Pellegrini’s hosts scrambled the ball clear, to ultimately condemn their star-studded opponents to a first defeat of the term.

Real Madrid, though, have since been left fuming. Ensuing replays of Mbappé’s penalty appeared to showcase Marc Bartra – who ultimately cleared the ball on the rebound – well inside the area upon the spot-kick being struck:

Upon the incident being cleared, and no retake being awarded, José Mourinho’s troops were in turn left flabbergasted.

As alluded to above, though, in the time since, an insight into precisely why a retake was not forthcoming has arrived online. Marc Bartra’s foot was not actually touching the ground upon Mbappé striking the ball towards the Real Betis net.

Whilst the defender’s momentum had carried his body very much inside the area, the fact that he was not making contact with the grass cleared him of any wrongdoing, as per the CTA’s current guidelines.