UNBELIEVABLE  Spanish refereeing specialist Archivo VAR deploys Raphinha’s non-sent off against Mallorca. Here’s what’s being said

Football thrives on moments of magic, but it also suffers from moments of chaos. The clash between Barcelona and Mallorca was a showcase of both. Amidst the intensity of the first half, one decision—or lack of one—has dominated all the post-match headlines: Raphinha’s tackle on Mateu Morey, a challenge many believe should have earned him a direct red card.

The incident unfolded in a flash. Raphinha, often lauded for his skill and attacking flair, lunged forward with both feet in pursuit of the ball. But instead of making clean contact, his studs crashed into Morey’s planted leg. Gasps echoed around the stadium, and for a moment, everyone waited for the referee’s next move.

José Luis Munuera Montero produced only a yellow card. VAR checked the tackle, but much to the disbelief of players, pundits, and fans, the decision stood. No red, no sending off—just play on. For many, this was not just surprising, but incomprehensible.

Veteran refereeing analyst Iturralde González did not hesitate to call it as he saw it. Speaking with conviction, he described the tackle as “a direct red card,” stressing that such challenges place players at serious risk of injury. His assessment has been echoed across Spanish media, where the consensus is clear: Raphinha was fortunate to stay on the pitch.

The controversy deepened when contrasted with Vedat Muriqi’s dismissal earlier in the half. The Mallorca forward had been shown red after a reckless challenge on Joel García—an incident quickly confirmed by VAR. While Muriqi’s sending-off was deemed justified, the leniency shown to Raphinha raised questions about consistency and fairness.

Social media erupted almost immediately. Clips of the incident spread at lightning speed, accompanied by outrage, sarcasm, and disbelief. Barcelona supporters defended their winger, suggesting the decision was within reason, while neutral fans and Mallorca faithful voiced fury at what they saw as clear bias or poor officiating.

The phrase “a first half to forget” for Munuera Montero quickly began trending. The Andalusian referee found himself at the heart of a debate that extended beyond one game—it became a symbol of La Liga’s ongoing struggles with refereeing and the controversial use of VAR.

At the core of the issue lies a bigger question: what is the true role of VAR? Wasn’t it introduced to prevent exactly this kind of controversy—to ensure that dangerous tackles and missed red cards are properly addressed? Instead, its intervention, or lack thereof, only fueled more confusion.

For Barcelona, the match marched on without much consequence in terms of the result. But for the league, the decision may linger far longer than the goals scored. It shines a harsh light on the refereeing standards in Spain’s top flight and reopens the discussion on whether VAR is delivering the consistency it promised.

In the end, this was more than a missed decision—it was a reminder of how fragile trust in officiating has become. Raphinha may have escaped punishment on the night, but the debate sparked by his tackle will not fade so easily. For La Liga, it was a blemish on a night that should have been remembered for football alone.