Opinions still divided on Real’s late penalty against Juve

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate his goal against Juventus

Former players have joined the debate to decide whether the foul on Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez by Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia in the Champions League second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is a penalty or not, according to report in Marca.

Referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty in the additional time to Real Madrid in a game Juventus was in total control after the Italian Champions mount a heavy comeback but the decision of the English referee ruined their semi-final hope as Cristiano Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot.

Jorge Valdano: the former Real Madrid player and ex-sporting director believes the call from Michael Oliver was right that the penalty worth it.

David Albelda, the former Valencia defensive midfielder is of the view that the tackle was not a penalty, that Michael Oliver’s decision was not right with his decision to have award Real Madrid the penalty kick.

Fernando Morientes:, ex-Real Madrid, AS Monaco and Liverpool forward, is the point that the decision was right and it was a right call for the penalty to be awarded in favour of Los Blancos.

Gary Lineker, the former Everton and Barcelona forward believes the decision was right but it was a soft penalty in favour of Real Madrid.

Álvaro Domínguez who is a former Real Madrid youth player and ex- Atletico Madrid defender does not agree it was a penalty, that the call was a wrong one.

However,Pedja Mijatovic, an ex-Real Madrid and Fiorentina forward supported the view of Michael Oliver and he agreed that the decision was right and the referee was right to award a penalty.

Christian Vieri believed the decision was right and he supported the view that it was a penalty, Vieri played for Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus amongst others.

José María Gutiérrez Hernández also known as Guti, is of the view that it was a penalty in the favour of Real Madrid, while Gabriel Batistuta said the call was not a penalty and faults Micheal Oliver’s decision for awarding the penalty.