Barça suffered their second defeat in the league after falling to Real Sociedad in a match marked by Lewandowski's goal disallowed by VAR for offside. The controversy arose when the image of the semi-automatic offside was shown, which, in theory, confused the Real Sociedad defender with the Barcelona striker. Only in this way can we understand why the VAR considered that Lewandowski's boot was further forward than his opponent's, because as could be seen in the real images, it was clearly not the case.
This decision has caused great controversy, raising questions ranging from the manipulation of the images to a possible confusion by the VAR between the Polish striker's footwear and that of Aguerd, thus generating an intense debate in the world of football.
The head of the VAR defends technology
Clos Gómez has defended the technology used in Lewandowski's goal disallowed at Anoeta and has assured that there is no "black hand" in La Liga. The person in charge of video refereeing in Spain has defended the system: "We have cutting-edge technology in Spanish football, in the First Division. Semi-automatic offside is used. For those who don't know, there are 10 additional cameras that allow players to be "tracked" in 29 points and, coincidentally, one of these points is the toe of the foot." Surprisingly, for the former referee there is no reason for concern:
"The technology worked perfectly. The referee was notified that he had made a mistake and the goal was disallowed. It's nothing new that hasn't happened in other matches this week or any other"
Regarding the recreation of the FC Barcelona striker's foot, Clos Gómez said he did not feel that it was too long: "That's why we have the technology. The information from the system's cameras triangulates the position of each player and indicates that the Barça player's position is forward. We have nothing more to say."
The head of the CTA VAR has lamented the culture of criticising referees in Spanish football: "Before, we were attacked for millimetres and it was said that there were conspiracies and robberies. And now, if we were right, we are also attacked. We are used to there being controversy in every game. In Spain, absolutely everything is questioned. A lot of money has been invested in this technology and we have to believe in it," he concluded.