Spanish refereeing body says Gerard Martin should have been sent off at Atlético | OneFootball

The Spanish refereeing committee, which oversees La Liga officiating, said on Tuesday that Gerard Martin should have been sent off at Atlético, calling the challenge serious foul play regardless of who touched the ball first. It added that VAR should not have intervened and the on-field red should have stood.

The incident came early in the second half of Saturday's matchday 30 tie, which Barcelona won 2-1.

Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer initially sent off the Barcelona centre-back for a high studs challenge on Thiago Almada.

After a VAR review, he changed the red to a yellow for Martin, Barcelona's number 18.

The change left Barcelona with a numerical advantage, as Nico Gonzalez had been dismissed late in the first half.

Source: L'Équipe