Olatz Rivera cancels Sabadell’s penalty at Ceuta: VAR explains the impact point

VAR overturned a penalty that Olatz Rivera had awarded to Sabadell in Ceuta-Sabadell, with the score 0-0 and only ten minutes on the clock. The check came after a handball by Carlos Hernández inside the box from a Baena cross.

VAR: non-punishable area

As published by the RFEF, Álvaro Moreno (VAR) asked Rivera to review the exact impact point: “Olatz, I recommend an OFR… In our opinion, the impact point is the shoulder, in a non-punishable area.” After viewing the incident on the monitor, Rivera agreed: “Right… I’m going to cancel the penalty and restart with a dropped ball.”

The guideline relies on IFAB rule 12.1, which sets the upper limit of the arm to the lower point of the armpit. Despite the controversy, Sabadell still won in Ceuta, with Baena scoring twice to finish 1-2.