Aperribay: "We left San Mamés convinced it was not a penalty without anyone telling us"

Real Sociedad president Aperribay says the club left San Mamés convinced it was not a penalty, based on Aramburu's account and replays, before any technology confirmation.

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay addressed the controversial penalty decision in the Basque derby at San Mamés, where Aramburu was adjudged to have fouled Nico Williams. The CTA later acknowledged a possible fault in the ball's chip technology that may have affected VAR's decision.

Aperribay emphasised that the club had already formed its own conclusion on the pitch. "We left San Mamés convinced it was not a penalty without anyone telling us, without anyone saying the chip hadn't worked," he said. "It's clear that Aramburu touches the ball and simply from his words and watching the replay, you could see that was the case."

On the derby itself, Aperribay praised both teams' performances. "It was a very good derby. There were many individual performances that stood out from both Real and Athletic, and as collectives both teams were very tense," he said. Real Sociedad created chances to win but returned to Donostia empty-handed, with both keepers performing well. Aperribay concluded the match offered lessons for both clubs on how to improve.