New audio footage appears to show VAR get rules completely wrong with last minute penalty decision in huge clash
BARCELONA may feel aggrieved after video footage appeared to show VAR officials get the rules completely wrong in the last minute of a huge LaLiga game.
The Spanish giants were in action against Getafe back in August and hunting for a late winner when they thought they were awarded a penalty.
Following an alleged foul on Ronald Araujo, referee Soto Grado went over the monitor to review the footage.
After the review, Grado deemed there to have been a handball offence by Gavi, so controversially ruled a free-kick to Getafe rather than awarding a penalty.
The teams drew the game 0-0 thanks to the last-gasp decision.
However, the audio files of that game have now been published, causing fresh controversy.
According to Mundo Deportivo, a voice can be heard at the start of the recording saying: “Caution Gavi”.
But the reports states this was not the voice of the referee or VAR referee, Iglesias Villanueva.
It is not clear whether the voice was from one of the on-field or fourth officials or from the VAR assistant.
If it is determined that the voice came from an official on the field of play, there would be no issue.
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On the other hand, if the voice is deemed to have come from VAR then it would represent them overstepping what they are allowed to do.
Football rule makers Ifab state a VAR review can only be initiated by the on-field referee and can only intervene at certain times.
These are:
- 1. Goal/no goal
- 2. Penalty/no penalty
- 3. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
- 4. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)
Barcelona are said to have communicated “great discomfort” towards this news.
The Catalan club currently sit third in the LaLiga table, eight points behind Real Madrid in first.