The Spain Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) is currently conducting an inquiry into the unauthorized disclosure of a leaked VAR audio recording to journalist Gerard Romero
The audio captures a conversation between VAR official Alejandro Hernandez and referee Francisco Jose Hernandez Maseo during Sunday’s match between Real Madrid and Almeria.
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero leaks VAR audio of Vinicius Jr incident during Almeria vs Real Madrid
La próxima vez que vea un madridista hablando de Negreirato le voy a poner este vídeo. Ole tus huevos, Gerard Romero. Contra la Mafia Blanca hasta el final. A mamar, corruptos.
pic.twitter.com/WyueJ7wR4t— DanyFCB (@dany_fcb0) January 22, 2024
This development has been widely covered by prominent sports newspapers in Spain, including AS and Mundo Deportivo.
Real Madrid vs Almeria Controversy Explained
Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Almeria had already sparked controversy as it marked the first instance in La Liga this season where VAR intervened to reverse three decisions in favor of one team.
Despite falling 2-0 behind against the bottom-of-the-league visitors at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid staged a comeback, benefiting from a penalty, a disallowed goal for Almeria, and VAR granting Vinicius Jr.’s equalizer. In the 99th minute, Dani Carvajal secured three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Almeria’s coach Gaizka Garitano, who was red-carded during the match, expressed his frustration, stating, “I have no words,” and adding that similar incidents had occurred to him before at the venue.
Esto es el escándalo del siglo. Gracias, @gerardromero pic.twitter.com/EzyvMRRouS
— Kilgore (@billkilgore_) January 22, 2024
FC Barcelona’s head coach Xavi Hernandez later acknowledged that he shared Garitano’s sentiments. On Monday, journalist Gerard Romero obtained a leaked audio recording revealing the VAR and the on-field referee discussing an incident involving Vinicius Jr. supposedly deserving a red card for hitting Alejandro Pozo in the face.
Hernandez Hernandez informs Hernandez Maseo about a “possible foul in attack,” which he wishes to review. However, Hernandez Maseo dismisses it as “nothing,” attributing it to a tussle between the players.
Despite reviewing the footage, Hernandez Hernandez does not deem the incident worthy of sending Vinicius off in the 86th minute. In the audio, Maseo suggests going live, seemingly agreeing that the incident did not warrant punishment.
This has sparked criticism on social media, with terms like “robbery” and “embarrassment” used to describe the match. Several Spanish media outlets report that the CTA is investigating the source of the leaked audio.
The committee is already under scrutiny due to the ‘Caso Negreira’ scandal, involving Barcelona making payments exceeding $8 million to former CTA vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira from 2001 to 2018.
Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has maintained that the payments were for legitimate consultancy services.
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