Rigged Liga! Penalty not called on Fermín López in the Barça-Girona

The match between FC Barcelona and Girona was marred by another controversial refereeing decision detrimental to the azulgrana team. After the farce of González Fuertes and Melero López in the Real Madrid-Leganés (3-2), it was the turn of the duo formed by Pulido Santana and Figueroa Vázquez. It only took 11 minutes for the referees to tilt the balance in favor of Madrid's interests with an incomprehensible decision.

The winger Yáser Asprilla cut off a clear chance from Fermín López with a trip using his left foot, bringing down the player from Huelva just on the edge of the penalty area. Referee Pulido Santana called a foul at the edge of the area, but the VAR warned that it was a play inside the penalty box. Figueroa Vázquez called the Canary referee, but incomprehensibly canceled the foul after reviewing the play on the monitor.

The play ended in a free kick for Girona

The most unusual aspect of Figueroa Vázquez's decision was that, instead of allowing the game to continue, he sanctioned Fermín for simulation, which meant the game resumed with an indirect free kick in favor of Girona. The reaction of the player from Huelva could not have been more eloquent: "My goodness!..., said the midfielder in front of the cameras of the international broadcast. Well, nothing, another controversy for a rigged league like few others.

Fortunately for Barça, a rebound goal from Ladislav Krejčí in the 43rd minute, following a free kick from Lamine Yamal, put Barça ahead. Minutes earlier, the referee had also failed to notice a possible penalty on the '19'. But let's face it, if the culés want to win this league, they have to play against 12 from now until matchday 38. That's just how it is.