VAR Controversies Emerge from Recent Classic Match
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has released VAR recordings from the recent El Clásico encounter between Real Madrid and Barcelona, shedding light on two controversial penalty decisions that stirred debate among fans and analysts alike.
Key Incidents Reviewed
Unawarded Penalty for Barcelona
In the first key incident, Barcelona’s young forward, Lamine Yamal, was involved in a contentious challenge with Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. Referee César Soto Grado declined to award a penalty after the VAR team recommended he review the play. VAR official Javier Iglesias informed Soto that evidence suggested Yamal’s foot was on the ground first and that the contact originated from Vinícius. Soto responded from the pitch, stating, “Stop the moment Lamine is on his feet… there’s no tackle here. The foul is by Vinícius, who hits him from behind. Therefore, I will declare a neutral ball and award a foul against Vinícius on Lamine Yamal.”
Awarded Penalty Against Barcelona
The situation reversed in the second half, when Real Madrid was awarded a penalty after Eric García was ruled to have handled the ball in the penalty area following a cross from Jude Bellingham. The VAR team again intervened, advising Soto that they would assist him in evaluating the handball. Iglesias stated, “César, I recommend you review the possibility of a penalty for handball. I’ll show you the hand position, which I consider to be in an offense position, along with the entire sequence for your assessment. We will switch cameras.” Soto then analyzed the footage, concluding, “The ball hits there, and then there’s a second rebound. Let me see a shot from behind. Now zoom in so I can confirm if there’s a player behind. Stop when the ball is in the air. This hand position is quite high. The ball first hits Eric and then Bellingham, and this hand is elevated, as explained in our seminars. The hand position is high, not low, and it blocks playing space. I will signal for a penalty.”
Conclusion
These recordings reveal the full dialogue behind the decisions that have captivated Spain, highlighting a moment where Lamine Yamal did not receive a penalty while Eric García’s handball granted Real Madrid a pivotal opportunity from the penalty spot. These incidents continue to ignite discussions regarding the implementation and interpretation of VAR in La Liga, as fans and pundits seek clarity on the standards applied during such high-stakes matches.