VAR error occurs in Barcelona match involving Gerard Martín – Spanish officials
The refereeing committee in Spain (CTA) has determined that Barcelona defender Gerard Martín should have received a red card during Saturday’s 2-1 LaLiga victory against Atlético Madrid.
In the 48th minute, Martín made contact with Thiago Almada using his studs after clearing the ball, striking just above the Atlético midfielder’s ankle, and was initially issued a red card.
However, after being prompted by the VAR to review the incident on the monitor, referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer reversed the red card, opting instead to issue Martín a yellow card.
This decision occurred at a crucial moment in the match, shortly after Nicolás González had been dismissed for Atlético, with the score delicately balanced at 1-1.
Despite competing with only 10 players for the entirety of the second half, Atlético nearly secured a draw, until Robert Lewandowski scored a winner in the 87th minute, extending Barça’s lead to seven points at the top of LaLiga.
However, the CTA has now confirmed that the initial ruling should have been upheld, indicating that Martín ought to have been sent off, resulting in both teams having 10 players.
While Martín did make contact with the ball prior to Almada, the CTA clarified in its weekly review program “Tiempo de Revisión” that he did not have clear control of the ball.
“It constitutes serious foul play, irrespective of who touches the ball first,” the CTA stated. “The appropriate disciplinary action should have been a red card.”
“The CTA believes that VAR should not have intervened, as the referee on the field made the correct decision.”
“The VAR’s suggestion to review led to an erroneous alteration of a decision that had been accurately judged in real time. The referee should have maintained his original ruling.”
To further clarify the ruling, the CTA referred to another contentious incident from the weekend’s matches, where Valencia’s Unai Núñez caught Celta Vigo’s Hugo Álvarez with his follow-through.
In this instance, however, the CTA noted that Núñez was in control of the ball after having made contact, and that Álvarez needed to take measures to protect himself.
Earlier this year, Barça experienced a similar situation when they lost 2-1 to Girona, with the CTA later stating that the winning goal should have been disallowed due to a foul on Jules Koundé.
Both Barça and Atlético are now focusing on the Champions League, with the teams scheduled to clash at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday for the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup.
The third of three encounters within 11 days between the teams will then occur back in Madrid next Tuesday for the second leg.
