Audio conversation between referee and VAR officials before denying Barcelona goal by Lamine Yamal in controversial El Clasico defeat released
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has released the VAR audio after Lamine Yamal's ghost goal in Barcelona's controversial 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday, April 21.
The Blaugrana suffered a heavy blow as they were defeated in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Andreas Christensen gave them the lead in the sixth minute before Vinicius Junior leveled the scores with a penalty in the 18th minute.
Barcelona had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute when Lamine Yamal flicked the ball towards the near post. The ball appeared to have crossed the line but Andriy Lunin was able to scramble it away, giving VAR a huge decision to make as no goal-line technology was available. After a few minutes of deliberation, they opted not to give the goal, even though replays conveyed the goal could have been legal.
Fans on social media were furious with the referees' decision, leading to the RFEF posting the entire six-minute conversation on X. One VAR official was heard saying (via Daily Mail):
"Stop at the point of contact when it hits Lunin's gloves and turn it back."
Another official then said they would perform a 360-degree check to look for evidence to see whether the ball crossed the line or not.
"Lunin's body is covering us," one official said. "Wait a second, we are still looking for the evidence. This one doesn't work for me (first angle), neither does this one (second angle), neither does this one (third angle), keep going, neither does this one (fourth angle), neither does this one (fifth angle), neither does this one (sixth angle)."
The official finally confirmed, telling the referee:
"Cesar, Cesar, we are going to restart with a corner kick. We don't have any evidence that the ball has gone in, so corner kick. We have no evidence that the ball has gone in, therefore corner kick."
The full clip can be viewed below:
Barcelona did take a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute but the ghost goal not being given came back to haunt them after Lucas Vasquez (73') and Jude Bellingham (90+1') netted late on to give Real Madrid the win.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has since said the club would push for a full replay if evidence shows that the ball crossed the line.
Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona: Who was the Player of the Match?
Real Madrid sealed a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Barcelona, completing the league double over them. They remain at the top of the table with 81 points from 32 games, 11 points ahead of Xavi Hernandez and company. Let's take a look at who the Player of the Match was:
As per FotMob, Real Madrid right-back Lucas Vasquez was given the highest rating of any player on the pitch (8.8). The 32-year-old scored a brilliant goal, provided an assist, won his side a penalty, and created two big chances. In addition, he won nine duels and made five recoveries.
Barcelona will next be in action against Valencia at home on Monday, April 29, while Real Madrid face Real Sociedad away on Friday, April 26.