Referees Committee admits mistake in awarding Girona’s goal vs Barcelona – ‘Obvious, clear, and manifest error’ | OneFootball

Last week, FC Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Catalan derby against local rivals Girona at Estadi Montilivi.

Having taken the lead through Pau Cubarsi in the second half, the Blaugrana ended up conceding minutes later, with Thomas Lemar equalising for Girona.

And, when the game seemed to be headed for a draw, Fran Beltran stepped up and scored what proved to be the match-winning goal for the hosts.

However, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the goal as Girona’s Claudio Echeverri clearly stamped Jules Kounde in the buildup, but the incident was overlooked by the on-field referee, Cesar Soto Grado, while the VAR, David Galvez Rascon, also ignored it.

CTA admits error

Now, on the programme, ‘Tiempo de Revision’, the Referees’ Technical Committee (CTA) has analysed the incident and made it clear that there was a mistake made by the VAR.

Indeed, the CTA insisted VAR should have intervened once the goal was scored, after the on-field referee did not penalise the infringement.

Echeverri stomped on Kounde’s foot in the buildup to Girona’s goal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The stamp leaves no room for interpretation and occurred within the same attacking phase that led to the goal.

“VAR considers it an action open to interpretation by the referee. But if a player steps on an opponent with unnecessary force, it must be penalised,” the CTA’s explanation stated.

“According to the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), the Girona striker recklessly stepped on his opponent, taking him out of the defensive play.”

Making it clear that it was an error, the CTA added: “This infraction should be punished with a foul and a yellow card. VAR should have intervened as it was an obvious, clear, and manifest error.”

The result cost Barça a valuable point and their place at the top of the La Liga table. However, with Real Madrid losing to Osasuna over the weekend and Barcelona beating Levante, Hansi Flick & co. are back on top.

Source: AS