VAR Takes Center Stage Again In Spanish League

MADRID: Video review attracted the wrong kind of attention again in the Spanish league after a disallowed goal in the 0-0 draw between Cdiz and Villarreal on Sunday, a day after VAR helped to award a decisive penalty kick for Real Madrid in its clsico win against Barcelona.

Cdizs first-half goal by lvaro Negredo was called back for offside after a wait of nearly five minutes while the play was analyzed by the officiating crew. The league released the photo with the superimposed lines that led to the decision, but it still left plenty of space for debate.

Video review also played a role in Alavs 2-0 win at Valladolid, leading to a red card for the hosts in the first half and influencing two other calls after the break.

Most front pages in Spain on Sunday mentioned the VAR call that helped to give Madrid a 3-1 victory over Barcelona after Sergio Ramos jersey was pulled inside the area at the Camp Nou Stadium. Barcelona and coach Ronald Koeman loudly complained, saying the pull on Ramos did not cause him to drop on the field in such a manner.

A victory against Villarreal could have left promoted Cdiz at the top of the league along with Real Madrid, but instead it stayed in seventh place, two points back. The club from southern Spain was coming off a 1-0 win at Madrid.

What bothers me is if only some plays are being checked, Cdiz coach lvaro Cervera said. If they went to check and its offside, then its offside, no problem. But which ones are checked and which ones are not checked?

Koeman had claimed Saturday that only calls against Barcelona were being checked.

Unai Emerys Villarreal could have taken sole possession of the lead had it won the match in Cdiz. It is one point behind Madrid, which has a game in hand.

The team did well and showed improvement, but it wasnt enough for the win,” Emery said. “The point wasnt enough.

Villarreal is yet to score goals away from home in the league this season.

OTHER RESULTS

Toms Pina and Borja Sainz scored as Alavs won at last-place Valladolid, which is yet to win this season.

The hosts went a man down in the 21st minute after video review determined that Nacho Martnez deserved a red card for a foul. VAR later helped to disallow one goal by Alavs and confirm another.

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