Real Sociedad slam Basque derby penalty as Aramburu cries injustice

Real Sociedad have taken their anger over the penalty that decided the Basque derby to the club's official channels after a 2-1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in round 11 of La Liga. According to Mundo Deportivo, the San Sebastián club used its match report on its website to criticise referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández, insisting the penalty never happened and that VAR declined to intervene. Such a blunt tone is unusual in a club's institutional communications.

The flashpoint came at the end of the first half. Nico Williams went down in the box after contact with Real Sociedad right-back Jon Aramburu, Hernández Hernández pointed to the spot and VAR left the call unchanged. Alex Berenguer converted in the 45+2nd minute, and that goal proved to be the winner. None of the published sources report a written complaint lodged with the Spanish football federation or its refereeing committee; for now the protest consists of the club's public statement.

Why are Real Sociedad protesting the penalty?

Real Sociedad's complaint rests on the view that Aramburu got a touch on the ball before any contact with Nico Williams. In the club's view, the referee saw a foul that did not happen and the VAR room failed to correct it. The Venezuelan full-back made the same case straight after the final whistle: Mundo Deportivo reports that Aramburu said the chip inside the match ball confirmed his touch once the incident was replayed, yet both the referee and the video officials rejected that reading.

The club's line translates as "There was no penalty and VAR did not want to get involved." Aramburu went further, calling the decision an injustice and claiming that even his opponent did not see it as a penalty.

What did Athletic coach Edin Terzic say?

Athletic Bilbao's German head coach Edin Terzic openly conceded that his side had benefited from the call. As reported by L'Équipe, the former Borussia Dortmund coach said he had the feeling Athletic had been favoured. GOAL reported that Terzic also noted he had stayed silent about officiating all season despite feeling his team had suffered worse decisions earlier on, while praising Nico Williams for attacking the box. The same report contrasted his candour with Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, who declined to discuss the contested penalty awarded to Kylian Mbappé against Racing Santander.

How did the Basque derby unfold?

In the 197th Basque derby, Iñaki Williams put Athletic Bilbao ahead in the 14th minute before Luka Sucic equalised on 30 minutes. Berenguer's spot-kick settled it. ScoreLab data shows Real Sociedad had more of the ball (62%), more shots, more efforts on target and the higher expected-goals figure. The Guardian noted that the night also belonged to Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón, freshly crowned with the Lev Yashin trophy and given a standing ovation at San Mamés before kick-off.

1. 1 November 2026, 14th minute — Iñaki Williams puts Athletic Bilbao 1-0 up.
2. 1 November 2026, 30th minute — Luka Sucic levels at 1-1.
3. 1 November 2026, 45+2 — Berenguer scores the penalty awarded after contact between Aramburu and Nico Williams; VAR does not overturn it.
4. 1 November 2026, after the match — Aramburu calls the call an injustice; Terzic admits his side were favoured.
5. 2 November 2026 — Real Sociedad's official match report says the penalty did not exist and VAR chose not to intervene.

How has Jon Aramburu played this season?

Jon Aramburu, the defender at the centre of the row, has been one of Real Sociedad's most reliable performers. According to ScoreLab data, the 24-year-old Venezuela international has played 713 minutes across 9 La Liga matches this season and lasted 88 minutes in the derby. His rate of duels won per 90 minutes puts him at the top end among La Liga players in his position.

What happens next?

Real Sociedad host Rayo Vallecano in round 12 of La Liga, while Athletic Bilbao travel to Osasuna. In round 13, Real Sociedad visit Racing Santander and Athletic welcome Espanyol. It is not yet clear whether Real Sociedad's public protest will lead to any disciplinary or refereeing-committee follow-up; ScoreLab will update this article as the story develops.