MADRID, Jan 22:The controversial VAR decisions that went Real Madrid’s way this weekend reverberated long after the Spanish powerhouse escaped an embarrassing setback against the worst team in the Spanish league.
Madrid benefitted from three second-half video reviews and then scored deep into stoppage time to erase a two-goal deficit and beat last-place Almeria 3-2 at home on Sunday, avoiding dropping points and damaging its title chances.
The overturned calls were close ones that were open to interpretation, including two handball incidents, but by the time the third VAR decision benefitted the Spanish giant in detriment of its underdog opponent, the game had already become one of the most discussed in Spanish football in recent years.
Coach Gaizka Garitano didn’t “have the words to summarize what happened.” He said he didn’t want to say much to avoid being sanctioned.
The complaints went beyond those by Almeria the Saudi-owned club that missed a chance to end its 21-game winless streak in the Spanish league. “Robbery,” read a front-page headline by the Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo sports daily on Monday. “Referees gift Madrid the victory.”Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández said “everyone saw what happened” at the Bernabeu.“I had already said it, it’s going to be very difficult to win this league,” Xavi said after Barcelona’s 4-2 win at Real Betis later Sunday. “There are things that are not making sense to me.” The rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid often spills into refereeing controversies, with both teams accusing the other of being favored by officials. (PTI)
