Full VAR exchange emerges from controversial Gavi-Isco penalty incident in Barcelona vs Real Betis | OneFootball

With their 3-1 win over Real Betis, FC Barcelona completed a memorable run in which they won all of their home matches in La Liga this season.

Raphinha and Joao Cancelo got on the scoresheet for the Blaugranes, while former Real Madrid midfielder Isco Alarcón scored the lone goal for the visitors from the penalty spot in what turned out to be one of the most controversial moments of the game.

The incident came in the 64th minute when Isco went down inside the Barcelona box with Gavi chasing from behind. Initially, referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ruled out the penalty after believing there had been an offside earlier in the move, but after a VAR review, it was confirmed that there was no infringement in the build-up.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the conversation between the on-field referee and the VAR room has now been released by the RFEF, revealing the different interpretations that ultimately led to the penalty standing.

VAR told Cuadra Fernández:

Once Cuadra Fernández arrived at the monitor, the VAR team explained the sequence in detail:

“Okay, look, Guille, at the start of the move, there is no offside, alright? We’ll now send the SAOT (semi-automated offside) recreation, and now we’ll show you the image where Gavi has his foot completely planted, and it’s Isco who, from behind, we believe makes the contact.”

The referee then responded:

“Give me a shorter one.”

Despite the recommendation from VAR, Cuadra Fernández defended his original interpretation of the challenge and decided to uphold the penalty:

“For me, Iván, in the run and when Isco is loading his leg, that’s when Gavi, who’s coming from behind… Isco has won the position, and he hits him with the leg. So I’m sticking with the penalty, okay? Because there he steps into his path, the foot still isn’t planted… Right there. That’s the limit. I’m sticking with the penalty. I’m sticking with the penalty.”

Isco converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 and briefly give Betis some hope, but Barcelona responded quickly as Joao Cancelo restored the two-goal advantage not long afterwards to seal another home win for the Catalans.

Although the decision generated controversy, it ultimately had little impact on the bigger picture as Barcelona comfortably saw out the match and completed a perfect home league campaign in front of their fans.