FC Barcelona fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Girona on Monday night away at Estadi Montilivi, which meant they are now trailing Real Madrid by two points in the title race.
While the performance was not at its best, the headlines were dominated by the controversial refereeing once again, as Girona’s winner should have been chalked off for a foul on Jules Kounde in the buildup, but was overlooked by the referee and the VAR.
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Barcelona outraged
As such, Mundo Deportivo reports that there is serious anger and indignation within Barcelona over the clear stamp by Claudio Echeverri on Kounde before Girona’s decisive goal, especially when compared with similar incidents in the past.
The Blaugrana are outraged over the double standards shown by referees.
Last season, when Barcelona took on Rayo Vallecano, a goal by Robert Lewandowski was disallowed in the 74th minute for a slight prior stamp by Kounde on Pep Chavarria, with the VAR intervening.
Referee Cesar Soto Grado. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
But, on Monday, when the contact was much stronger from Echeverri on the Frenchman, there was absolute silence from the VAR after the referee waved play on. The on-field referee was Cesar Soto Grado on both occasions.
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Not to mention the disallowed goal for Fermin Lopez against Real Sociedad following a slight contact by Dani Olmo on Take Kubo in the build-up to a match that Barça also lost 2-1.
All this has left confusion in the Barcelona dressing room and a sense of indignation. The anger stems not only from Monday’s incident but also from the precedent involving the same referee in a very similar action from last season.
The discontent at Barça is deep. The club consider the disparity and double standards in applying the criteria incomprehensible.
Read the full article here
