A controversial action by Íñigo Martínez, captured by fans and not by television, sparked outrage on social media.
Íñigo Martínez, Barça defender, was caught spitting in the direction of Francesco Acerbi during the celebration of the Italian team's second goal.
A Gesture That Wasn't Seen Live
The scene wasn't broadcast by the official signal. However, several users shared it on social media after capturing the moment from the stands.
The images show the Basque center-back approaching Acerbi just after Çalhanoğlu's penalty, which meant 2-0 for Inter. In the midst of the celebration, Íñigo clearly appears to spit in his direction.
Why Wasn't There an Expulsion?
Although the match referee, Szymon Marciniak, didn't see the action live, the VAR did review the play. The broadcast itself confirmed this, which also showed a subsequent scuffle between several players, without clearly explaining the reason for the confrontation.
Despite the fact that spitting is an action punishable by a direct red card according to UEFA regulations, the VAR decided not to intervene. There was no call to the monitor or change of decision. Íñigo Martínez remained on the field and was only substituted in the 76th minute, when he already had a yellow card for a previous tackle.
Social Media Up in Arms
The reaction on social media was immediate. On X, hundreds of users were demanding a sanction for the Barça center-back. Many describe the gesture as an unnecessary provocation and demand that it be reviewed officially.
Some even compare the situation to previous cases where there were exemplary punishments. What has caused the most outrage is the apparent passivity of the VAR, which this time chose to look the other way.
Íñigo's Version
After the match, Íñigo Martínez himself was asked about the incident. His response left no room for doubt: he admitted the gesture but denied spitting directly at Acerbi.
"Nothing serious happened, he celebrated the goal in my ear and I reacted badly. But the spit was on the ground, a meter away, not toward him. If it had been in the face, I would have been sent off without a doubt," the player explained.
A response that, far from calming tempers, has further divided public opinion.
Did He Deserve the Red Card?
The controversy remains open. Was it intentional? Should the VAR have intervened? UEFA, for now, hasn't issued any statement. But with the video already circulating everywhere, a sanction afterward is not ruled out.
What is clear is that gestures like this tarnish the spectacle and reopen the eternal debate about the use of VAR in situations of unsportsmanlike conduct.