The VAR audio from Real Madrid’s 3-2 LaLiga victory over Almeria on Sunday has been released.
After falling behind 2-0 at the Bernabeu, Real staged a stunning comeback against the bottom team in the Spanish top flight, who are yet to win a game this season.
Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Dani Carvajal’s goal in the 99th minute helped to ensure Carlo Ancelotti’s team kept up with Girona in the title race.
Madrid’s goals, though, sparked debate. Bellingham’s penalty followed a contentious VAR handball penalty call, wherein Antonio Rudiger was found not to have fouled during the build-up.
Then, Vinicius Jr. had a decision to disallow his equalizer for handball overturned when referee Jose Hernandez Maeso consulted the pitchside monitor. And he determined that the ball had instead gone in off the Brazilian’s shoulder. Almeria also had a goal disallowed by VAR.
According to the Daily Mail, the official VAR audio was later made available after the drama surrounding the officiating. Hernandez Hernandez, a VAR official, commented on the contentious penalty.
How The On-Field Referee And The VAR Official Conversation Went?
“I recommend you an on-field review so that you can assess a possible penalty due to a handball by the Almería defender.”
Referee Maeso responded: “Okay, I’m going to see it. (…) perfect. The Madrid player tries to score and the ball hits the arm, with the Almeria defender occupying space. I’m going to call a penalty without a card.”
Hernandez, in response to Vinicius’ goal that was disallowed, asked Maeso to reevaluate his decision.
“I recommend an on field review so that you can assess the non-handball, the possible non-handball.
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“The ball hits the right shoulder, there you have it. The ball hits him on the shoulder. You assess the possible foul in attack.”
After heading over to the pitchside monitor, Maeso responded: “I agree with you and the ball hits the shoulder. Give me one more frame. Perfect, he hits it with his shoulder and it’s a valid goal. I’m going to give the goal, there’s no foul.”
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