The Classic Between Women's Barça and Real Madrid Leaves a Mark. A clash marked by rivalry ended with a bitter defeat for Pere Romeu's team.
After 18 consecutive victories in these duels, Women's Barça suffered their first defeat against the eternal rival, something that left everyone surprised. However, what has caused more controversy was not just the result, but the refereeing controversy that accompanied the match.
An Error That Changed the Course of the Match
Jana Fernández's goal, which came in the 80th minute of the match, was a golden opportunity for Barça. It would have meant a tie and possibly a complete turnaround in the outcome of the Classic. However, the goal did not go up on the scoreboard due to an offside called on Graham Hansen, something that, according to many, had no justification.
After reviewing the images, it was concluded that the referees' decision was wrong. This refereeing error changed the course of the match and highlighted the lack of VAR in Liga F, preventing the correction of key decisions.
The Sanction to a Member of the Technical Staff
In addition to the controversy over the disallowed goal, the referee included in the report the expulsion of Oriol Casares for protesting.
According to the document, Casares had shouted: "It's an 8-meter offside! You've ruined the match!" These words, which many shared in their own thoughts. This has led to a two-match suspension for the goalkeeping coach.
The sanction has not been well received within Women's Barça. The fans believe that Casares's words are not only justifiable but reflect the widespread feeling after a mistake that severely harmed them. This measure has only increased the team's frustration.
Statements from Alexia Putellas and Pere Romeu
At the end of the match, Alexia Putellas, Barça's captain, did not hesitate to face the defeat. The player assured that there was no offside, but despite that, she emphasized that they could not limit themselves to that play alone. She acknowledged that the team could have performed better throughout the match, but the bitter taste of the refereeing error still lingered.
Meanwhile, Pere Romeu, the team's coach, also appeared visibly affected by the decision. Romeu stressed that if the goal had been validated, the match would have changed completely. The sense of injustice was palpable among the technical team members, players, and fans.