VAR official suspended after Girona v Barça controversy

Tensions from the recent La Liga meeting between Girona and Barcelona have extended beyond the final whistle, with Spanish football authorities taking disciplinary action over a refereeing decision.

Referee sanctioned after review

According to AS, the Technical Committee of Referees, CTA, reviewed the incident involving Girona’s Echeverri and Barcelona defender Jules Koundé and determined that the challenge amounted to a clear and reckless foul deserving of a yellow card.

Cadena COPE reported that VAR official David Gálvez Rascón did not recommend an on field review, allowing play to continue. Girona subsequently scored during the same phase of play, and the goal stood.

The CTA later concluded that the failure to intervene was an error, and the official has received what Spanish outlets described as the toughest sanction issued during that matchday.

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Confusion over initial reports

Early claims circulating on social media suggested that a VAR intervention to disallow the goal had been correct. However, according to El Partidazo de COPE, no such intervention took place.

Instead, the controversy centers on the absence of a review that would likely have resulted in the goal being disallowed because of the foul in the build up.

AS noted that the disciplinary measure reflects the seriousness with which the CTA viewed the oversight.

Growing scrutiny on VAR decisions in Spain

The suspension has intensified debate in Spain about the consistency of VAR decisions in La Liga and the accountability of match officials in decisive moments.

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While referee reviews are part of standard post match evaluations conducted by the CTA, public suspensions remain relatively rare, making this case particularly notable.

Sources: AS, Cadena COPE, El Partidazo de COPE

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