The ongoing VAR controversy in La Liga has escalated after Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over Almeria, making them the first team in the league to benefit from three VAR decisions in their favor. The refereeing debate has intensified, with audio revealing deviations from protocol during the decision-making process between the video assistant referee and the on-field referee.
Almeria has expressed frustration, and Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez added to the criticism, suggesting discrepancies in La Liga refereeing. The controversy grew when footage surfaced, suggesting Vinicius Junior elbowed Alejandro Pozo in the face. Surprisingly, the referee and VAR did not review the incident, leaving fans perplexed.
Vinicius Junior could face significant repercussions if Almeria files a complaint with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). According to MD, a ban ranging from 4 to 12 games can be imposed if a player is found to have “struck” an opponent without causing injury, with the ball not in playing distance.
The uncertainty surrounding whether the Competition Committee will entertain such a complaint adds to the intrigue. Meanwhile, Real Madrid faces another setback with Jude Bellingham set to miss their upcoming league match against Las Palmas due to suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card.
As La Liga contends with the VAR saga and contentious refereeing decisions, questions about fairness and accountability persist. The effectiveness and consistency of VAR in Spanish football will likely be scrutinized in the upcoming matches.
