FC Barcelona dropped crucial points in the La Liga title race last night as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín. Despite goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Hansi Flick’s men were unable to secure the victory, leaving them further adrift in their pursuit of league glory.
The match was not without its controversies, as Frenkie de Jong found himself at the center of a contentious penalty decision. Shortly after coming onto the pitch in the second half, de Jong was penalized for allegedly fouling Vitor Roque inside the box.
Initially, the referee waved play on, but VAR intervened, instructing the official to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After a lengthy deliberation, the penalty was awarded. It has now emerged, as revealed by SPORT, what VAR told the on-field referee for the penalty incident. It goes:
“I recommend a review so you can evaluate a possible penalty action. The tussle up top isn’t enough—that’s what I evaluated. Below, there’s indeed contact with the boot.”
Yes, there was contact on Roque’s foot from Frenkie de Jong, but we’ve seen worse incidents go unpunished in the past. Take Pau Cubarsí, for instance—he ended up with a bloodied ankle in a prior match, yet the incident didn’t even warrant a review.
It often feels like decisions involving Barcelona are judged by a completely different standard compared to those against them. These are the kinds of odds the club continues to battle to remain competitive in La Liga.
While this is nothing new, and Frenkie de Jong did commit a foul last night, one can only hope for greater standardization in refereeing decisions. If last night’s incident was deemed a penalty, then the stamp on Cubarsí should have been as well. All we can do now is wait and see how things unfold moving forward.
This draw means that Flick’s men have once again lost momentum in the La Liga title race. With the Champions League looming midweek, the team has no time to dwell on this setback and must stay focused on the next challenge.
