Real Madrid are preparing a formal appeal to La Liga over Dean Huijsen's one-match suspension.
Xabi Alonso has enjoyed a superb start to life as Los Blancos boss with four wins from four in domestic action and a 2-1 opening victory over Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.
However, their latest league outing was packed with controversy, as Huijsen was dismissed on 32 minutes away at Real Sociedad.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler secured all three points for Alonso back in San Sebastian - despite a late penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal - but the boss was frustrated by the call to send off Huijsen.
Alonso confirmed he spoke to referee Jesus Gil Manzano about his decision and he was left unconvinced by the explanations offered by the veteran official.
Huijsen was penalised for a clear first-half foul on Oyarzabal but Alonso claimed Eder Militao's covering position meant is should only have been a yellow card.
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La Liga have since looked into the matter and indicated it was a mistake by Manzano.
"The passage of play shows a difference between a promising attack and a clear goal scoring opportunity," as per a La Liga spokesperson, via ESPN.
"The key concept is the interpretation of the presence and distance away of the second defender which can change the punishment from a yellow card to a straight red.
"The referee shows a red card, believing it's a clear goal scoring opportunity. The scenario presents two possible scenarios, depending on a second Real Madrid defender, key to the move. If we believe he could arrive and challenge for the ball, the adequate punishment should be a yellow card, for a promising attack.
"If, as the referee interpreted, the distance makes it impossible for him [Militao] to challenge, it's a goal scoring opportunity, punishable by a sending off.
"It doesn't 100% meet the necessary criteria for 'DOGSO' [denial of a goal scoring opportunity] and the most appropriate punishment would have been a yellow card."
Despite their verdict of VAR being correct not to call Manzano to the pitch side monitor - as the decision remains open to interpretation - Real Madrid remain annoyed.
As per Marca, this update will form the core of Real Madrid's appeal, with Huijsen currently not available for the league clash with Espanyol on September 20.
Real Madrid are confident over a successful appeal and removal of the ban with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger already ruled out through injury.
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