Two Measures in LaLiga?

Arbitration controversy: Two yardsticks in LaLiga?

FC Barcelona raises its formal complaint while Real Madrid benefits from questionable decisions.

Spanish football is experiencing moments of high tension, not only on the pitch, but also in the offices. FC Barcelona has raised its voice, sending a formal letter to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), expressing its “deep concern about the reiteration of referee actions that it considers harmful and lacks of homogeneous criteria.” And coincidence has meant that, just a few hours after this letter, the Barça club has found new reasons to fuel its discontent.

Last week, during the match between Barça and Mallorca, a clear action in the visiting area left the Catalan team crying to the heavens. The vermilion defender, Johan Mojica, knocked down the young Barça striker Lamine Yamal with an obvious trip. However, the main referee, Alejandro Quintero González, did not award the maximum penalty. The play was not reviewed by the VAR either, under the supervision of Javier Iglesias Villanueva, leaving the culés with the feeling of flagrant injustice.

The controversy has only intensified. Just seven days later, in the match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, the refereeing tone seemed to take a diametrically opposite direction. The referee José Hernández Maeso did not hesitate to award up to two penalties in favor of the white team due to falls by the winger Vinicius Junior against the realistic defense. In both actions, the VAR, with Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez in charge, decided not to intervene.

The most striking thing about the second maximum penalty awarded to Real Madrid is that, in the television broadcast, it is clearly observed how Vinicius seems to fall before the Real Sociedad defender, Jon Aranburu, comes into contact with the ball with his boot. This circumstance, added to the non-intervention of the VAR, has intensified criticism about the homogeneity in the application of the regulation.

In its statement, Barcelona regretted the lack of “clear and homogeneous criteria when interpreting and resolving very similar or identical situations.” The plays of Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Junior seem to be the epitome of this complaint. While the action against the Barça youth player was considered non-existent by the referee trio, the Brazilian's falls, especially the second, have been sanctioned with a penalty, despite reasonable doubts about intentionality or contact.

The impact of these decisions on the scoreboard is undeniable. In the case of Barça-Mallorca, the unreported foul against Lamine Yamal occurred when the scoreboard reflected 1-0 in favor of the locals, a result that could have been increased if a penalty had been awarded. On the other hand, in the Real Madrid-Real Sociedad match, the first penalty against Vinicius came with the score tied at 1-1, which meant the score was 2-1 for the whites and, in the end, the match was sealed with a resounding 4-1 after the second shot from the eleven meters.

The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) usually publishes a weekly explanatory video about the most controversial plays of the day. However, Mojica's entry on Lamine Yamal was not among those analyzed. The only reference to the match between Barcelona and Mallorca in the official CTA report was to justify not signaling a penalty by David López. The committee argued that the ball “accidentally” hit the defender's arm, which was “slightly separated, fulfilling the function of fixing the mark.”

In summary, Mojica's play on Lamine Yamal was not considered a penalty either by the field referee, nor by the VAR, nor later by the CTA. This absence of unified criteria in comparable situations has set off alarms within the Catalan club, which is seeking answers and a more fair and equitable application of the regulations in all competitions.

The situation highlights the complexity of refereeing work and the difficulty of maintaining uniformity of criteria in a sport as dynamic as football. The controversy is served, and the fans, the clubs and the referees themselves hope that a solution will be found that guarantees integrity and justice in each match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What motivated FC Barcelona's formal complaint?

FC Barcelona has expressed its “deep concern about the reiteration of refereeing actions that it considers harmful and lacks homogeneous criteria.”

What was the key play in the Barça-Mallorca match?

A trip by defender Johan Mojica on striker Lamine Yamal in the Mallorca area, which the referee did not award as a penalty.

What happened in the Real Madrid-Real Sociedad match?

The referee awarded two penalties in favor of Real Madrid due to falls by Vinicius Junior, decisions that were not reviewed by the VAR.

What is the main difference between the two situations?

Barcelona considers that a clear penalty play was not sanctioned, while in the Real Madrid match, Vinicius' falls were marked as a penalty, raising doubts.

What does the CTA say about Lamine Yamal's move?

The CTA did not include this play in its weekly analysis and only referred to a hand action by David López, which it considered accidental.

How did these decisions affect the score?

In the case of Barça-Mallorca, the missed penalty could have extended a 1-0 lead. In Real Madrid-Real Sociedad, penalties contributed to the comeback and the final victory.

Is any response expected from the RFEF or the CTA?

The possibility of a response is being studied, although there is no firm decision yet.

What is FC Barcelona looking for with this complaint?

The club seeks a fairer and more homogeneous application of the refereeing regulations in all competitions.

Are these types of controversies frequent in LaLiga?

Refereeing controversies are common in football, but Barcelona's formal complaint and the comparison of similar plays intensify the debate.

Where can I find more information about refereeing and match analysis?

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