In a rare move that brings a sense of vindication to Barcelona, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has handed down its harshest punishment of the season to a VAR official following a major error in the recent clash with Girona.
Barcelona Controversy Leads to Indefinite Suspension for VAR Referee
According to reports from AS, referee David Galvez Rascon has been hit with an indefinite suspension, effectively receiving a “freeze” from all officiating duties.
The decision comes after a thorough review of a controversial sequence that saw Girona score their second goal in the 2-1 victory.
The incident occurred during the buildup to the decisive goal. As Girona pushed forward, Claudio Echeverri collided forcefully with Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.
The French international went down heavily under the challenge, but the on-field referee allowed play to continue.
The attacking move culminated in a goal, much to the disbelief of the Barcelona players and coaching staff, who immediately protested that the initial foul should have stopped play.
Upon reviewing the footage, the CTA concluded that the decision was a clear and obvious error. Their assessment confirmed that Echeverri’s challenge on Kounde was reckless and illegal.
Furthermore, the committee determined that the VAR room, overseen by Galvez Rascon, failed in its primary duty.
Instead of alerting the referee to review the monitor, the VAR team remained silent, allowing an illegitimate goal to stand.
“The intervention on Kounde was clearly a foul,” a source from the refereeing body stated.
“The VAR should have recommended an on-field review. The entire attacking sequence should have been nullified.”
The punishment means Galvez Rascon will not officiate this weekend, and his return date remains unknown.
Following the final whistle, Barcelona’s frustration boiled over.
Several players voiced their anger at the decision, while president Joan Laporta and manager Hansi Flick openly criticized the lack of VAR intervention, arguing that such an obvious foul damaged the integrity of the match.
The CTA’s decisive action serves as a rare admission of a major malfunction in the video assistant referee system.
