Penalty Denied to Fermín Against Girona: The VAR Audio Sows Doubt After the Match!

FC Barcelona secured a victory, but controversy lingers. The pivotal moment came in the 8th minute when Fermín López went down in the penalty area against Girona. Referee Pulido Santana, after reviewing the footage with VAR, overturned the penalty decision. However, the release of the VAR audio by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has only deepened the confusion rather than provided clarity.

Barcelona fans remain puzzled by the sequence of events. When Fermín López tumbled near the penalty box, Pulido Santana immediately called an offensive foul against him. The problem? The video replays suggested a strong case for a penalty in Barça’s favor. What surprised many was the swiftness of the review—completed in mere seconds, leading to skepticism about the decision-making process.

The controversy escalated when the RFEF published the VAR audio in an attempt to clarify the referee’s judgment. Instead of clearing doubts, it raised more questions. According to Mundo Deportivo, Pulido Santana is heard stating: “It’s the attacker who initiates contact with the defender, so I’m calling an offensive foul.” However, there is complete silence from VAR chief Figueroa Vázquez—his input is conspicuously absent from the recording.

Questionable Officiating and Suspicion of Bias

Why did VAR intervene in a situation involving an offensive foul? The rules are clear: VAR is only meant to review cases of clear and obvious errors in penalty situations. In this instance, it appears that Pulido Santana influenced his own decision rather than receiving guidance from VAR. The absence of any discussion between Santana and Vázquez in the released audio further fuels suspicions. Why has the Federation chosen not to release the full conversation? This lack of transparency casts a shadow over the impartiality of the officiating crew.

Adding to the frustration, recent controversies involving Real Madrid and alleged favorable refereeing decisions in their match against Leganés have only intensified scrutiny on La Liga’s refereeing standards. The timing of this incident has reignited debates over the fairness of officiating in Spain’s top flight.

The Impact on La Liga’s Credibility

If such inconsistencies continue, La Liga risks a major credibility crisis. While Barcelona ultimately won the match, other clubs may not be as fortunate in the future. The need for the RFEF to provide full transparency is urgent—failure to do so could further erode trust in the league’s officiating system. With the VAR debate already a contentious issue, this latest incident only adds fuel to the fire.

The controversy surrounding Fermín López’s denied penalty is a reflection of a broader issue in Spanish football: the inconsistent application of VAR. Supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of uniformity in refereeing decisions, and many are calling for an overhaul of the current system.

Why Was the Penalty Overturned So Quickly?

One of the most perplexing aspects of the incident was the speed with which Pulido Santana overturned his original call. Typically, when a penalty decision is reviewed, referees take their time analyzing various angles. In this case, the entire review process was completed in mere seconds. This raises suspicions that the referee had already made up his mind before even consulting the footage.

The fact that no explanation was provided by the VAR official further clouds the issue. If the decision was truly clear-cut, why not offer a detailed justification? Instead, the silence from Figueroa Vázquez only amplifies doubts about the integrity of the decision-making process.

La Liga’s Growing VAR Controversies

This is not the first time VAR has come under scrutiny in La Liga. Over the past few seasons, there have been numerous controversial calls that have led to accusations of bias. Whether it’s questionable penalties awarded to certain teams or crucial goals being disallowed, the system has repeatedly failed to inspire confidence.

For Barcelona, this latest controversy is just another chapter in their long history of VAR-related grievances. From Lionel Messi’s unawarded penalty claims to dubious offside calls against the club, Blaugrana supporters have grown increasingly disillusioned with how technology is being applied in Spanish football.

A Call for Greater Transparency

Moving forward, the only way to restore faith in VAR and officiating is through complete transparency. The RFEF must release full audio recordings of referee discussions, not just selective excerpts. Additionally, there needs to be a clear explanation of how and why certain decisions are made, particularly in high-profile matches.

If La Liga fails to address these concerns, the controversy will only continue to grow. Fans are already skeptical of refereeing integrity, and repeated incidents like this will only reinforce their belief that the system is flawed.

The Road Ahead

As Barcelona moves on from this match, the broader debate over VAR and officiating in Spain remains unresolved. The hope is that the RFEF takes this controversy as an opportunity to implement meaningful changes. Otherwise, the league risks losing credibility among fans and clubs alike.

While the Blaugrana secured all three points, the shadow of this refereeing decision lingers. If La Liga wants to maintain its reputation as one of the world’s premier leagues, addressing these issues must be a top priority. Until then, the debate surrounding Fermín López’s denied penalty will remain a point of contention in Spanish football.