Barcelona Stunned as VAR Review Delivers Crushing Blow with Shock Suspension
Spain's Refereeing Committee (CTA) has acknowledged that Girona's match-winning strike against Barcelona was incorrectly allowed to stand, with the video assistant referee (VAR) responsible for this mistake now facing "suspension."
Barcelona found themselves surprisingly tied 1-1 with Girona on Monday evening when Claudio Echeverri began weaving toward the goal area in the closing five minutes. Jules Koundé extended his leg, which the Manchester City loanee clearly stepped on. Marc Bernal ceased playing to protest to referee César Soto Grado, but Fran Beltrán maintained concentration to score the match-winning goal.
VAR official David Gálvez Rascón examined the replay but allowed the goal to remain valid—causing significant anger among Barcelona players. As it turns out, their frustration was warranted.
The CTA sought advice from a specialized VAR panel consisting of 15 former referees who unanimously determined that Echeverri had fouled Kounde during the sequence leading to Beltrán's goal. Gálvez Rascón has now received a full suspension from all fixtures for an indefinite period, according to AS.
The 44-year-old official from Madrid has notably never refereed a first-division La Liga game as the main referee and, until this campaign, had never previously worked in the VAR room above Spain's second division level.
Barcelona Cry Conspiracy
Barcelona Cry Conspiracy
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was so incensed by his squad's defensive performance—which arguably should have conceded a legitimate goal well before Beltrán's disputed strike—that he avoided criticizing the match officials. Raphinha couldn't remain silent.
"Well, we have numerous areas to work on, but not only us," the frustrated Brazilian vented on social media. "It becomes very difficult when the regulations vary, whether they benefit you or work against you, but if we must compete against everyone to succeed, then so be it... We'll manage it."
Joan Laporta built his presidential platform around Monday's confirmed unfairness. "I am certain we will claim La Liga," he stated. "It will be a championship contested against all odds and opponents, because they don't simply want to defeat us on the pitch. They aim to overcome us away from the field too, it's clear. Many don't want us to succeed, certain influential groups are not supporting us."
How Costly Could VAR Error Be?
How Costly Could VAR Error Be?
In a championship featuring two dominant frontrunners who both have clear weaknesses, La Liga's title battle might be determined by narrow differences. Opta's analytical model forecasts Barcelona will conclude the campaign with approximately 87 to 88 points, while Real Madrid's projected final total sits just under 89. Given this scenario, a single point represents a significant gap.
Barcelona secured the title by four points ahead of Real Madrid in the previous season, while five of the past 12 La Liga championships have been settled by merely one victory.
If this year's championship is decided by such a narrow difference, thoughts will inevitably return to that February evening in Catalonia.