Mina Bonino blasts VAR downgrade as Barcelona go seven points clear of Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid slipped further behind Barcelona on Saturday, and a contentious VAR call in Barcelona’s win drew public criticism from Fede Valverde’s wife. Barcelona are now seven points clear.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side lost 2-1 to Mallorca, then watched Barcelona come from behind to beat Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The hosts had Nico Gonzalez sent off in first-half stoppage time, and early in the second half Gerard Martin was shown red before VAR reduced it to yellow. According to MD, Mina Bonino condemned the downgrade on social media.

She wrote, "you have to close the stadium if that’s not a red card", posting a close-up of Martin’s studs on Thiago Almada’s ankle. The message was later deleted.

There was surprise that VAR intervened given it did not appear to be a clear and obvious error by referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer. The incident came at 1-1, adding to the controversy.

Valverde was suspended for the Mallorca defeat. He is due back when Real Madrid host Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Source: Football Espana