The Goal by Barcelona is Overturned: Audio of VAR Discussion Released – Very Clear Stomping by Koundé

In the third round of La Liga, Barcelona made a comeback away from home, defeating Rayo Vallecano 2-1. In the 73rd minute of this match, Lewandowski scored a goal which was subsequently overturned by a VAR decision. The official La Liga organization has released an audio recording revealing the discussion among the referees during the decision-making process.

At the 72nd minute of the game, Yamal’s shot was saved, and Lewandowski netted the ball from a tight angle. Initially, the referee deemed the goal valid, but the video assistant referee specialist Joao Figueroa Vasquez informed the main referee Soto Grado: “I need to remind you to review the video because there was a foul involved. You can look at the moment the attack began, and you should assess whether the stomp was significant enough.”

The referee then went to the sideline to review the VAR footage. During this process, he instructed the video assistant: “Zoom in for me, let me see what stepped on him. Zoom in, I want to see who stepped on him! Right there, I like this view! He stepped on his toe! I’m calling it a foul! Stop, stop right here! There was a stomp, do you see it? It’s very clear!”

Subsequently, Referee Grado returned to the field, signaled with a square gesture, and called off the goal, citing that Barcelona had regained possession and initiated the attack following a foul stomp by Koundé. The score reverted to 1-1. Of course, this call did not have a material impact on the outcome of the match; in the 82nd minute, Olmo scored, helping Barcelona secure all three points.

The release of the audio conversation between the referees and the VAR assistant is due to an important change implemented this season in La Liga. At the beginning of the season, La Liga announced that some relevant audio would be shared during matches to help fans better understand the refereeing and VAR decision-making processes, and also to facilitate public oversight of the refereeing teams, thereby improving their professional standards.