In the 47th minute, Luis Morales' shot struck Balde's hand inside the Barca penalty area. After consulting VAR, referee Alejandro Hernandez awarded Levante a penalty, which Morales converted to make the score 2-0.

Barca fans were incensed, recalling a similar handball incident involving Tchouameni in last season's El Clasico, where Hernandez, even after a VAR review, opted not to award a penalty.

The handball incident involving Balde that led to the penalty against Levante. Screenshot

The handball incident involving Balde that led to the penalty against Levante. Screenshot

The handball incident involving Tchouameni that went unpunished in last season's El Clasico. Screenshot

The handball incident involving Tchouameni that went unpunished in last season's El Clasico. Screenshot

According to Mundo Deportivo, Balde's left hand was close to his body, not making himself bigger. The incident also occurred 33 seconds after the three minutes of first-half added time had elapsed. Former international referee Cesar Barrenechea Montero stated, "It was an extremely harsh penalty, Balde had no intention whatsoever."

Conversely, AS quoted expert Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez who believed the decision was correct: "Balde's arm was in an L-shape, above his waist, making his body bigger. Tchouameni, in the previous El Clasico, had his hand in a natural position, below his hip."

AS also cited a new document from the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), which states that a handball that makes the body bigger and blocks a shot on goal is considered a foul.

Barca expressed frustration with Hernandez's decision. Pedri, who scored to make it 2-1, said, "We just learned about this rule. Tchouameni's incident last season was clearly a foul, while Balde's wasn't. But the referee made the opposite decision. It's really confusing."

Coach Hansi Flick considered the decision "unclear." However, he emphasized that the important thing was Barca secured all three points.

After conceding a second goal at the end of the first half, Barca rallied in the second. Pedri scored with a long-range effort early in the second half. Robert Lewandowski and then Lamine Yamal added to the tally, securing a 3-2 comeback victory and maintaining their 100% win record after two matches in La Liga this season.

This was the first Barca match Hernandez officiated since 5/2024. Following the controversial El Clasico, he wasn't assigned to any further games involving the Catalan club.

Compiled by Hoang Thong