The clash against Getafe saw FC Barcelona end up drawing against Jose Bordalas’s side at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez after a goalless stalemate took place leaving the Catalan giants to return to Barcelona with just a singular point.
However, many within the Barcelona camp feel wronged by several decisions taken by the referee of the game, Soto Grado, which they believe directly impacted the result of the game in a negative way for La Blaugrana.
The Catalan giants in particular feel strongly about the stoppage time penalty call after Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo was brought down in the box and even a VAR check was done, calling the referee to the screen in what has become a motion that typically always results in a penalty being given.
However, the referee deemed the penalty call to be invalid due to an earlier interference that, according to him, showcased Gavi handling the ball rendering whatever followed to be not punishable.
The call outraged Barcelona fans and officials, who could not seem to grasp the concept of ‘handling’ that the referee had directed towards Gavi, and now further official evidence of the referee’s negligence has been brought forward.
According to journalist Joan Fabregas, the arbitration committee has deemed that the call for Gavi’s handball was in the wrong and the case of handling was not punishable in itself, and the referee should have given FC Barcelona the penalty rightfully against Getafe CF in the dying minutes of the game.
As a consequence, Soto Grado has been suspended from refereeing any game on matchday two of La Liga EA Sports while Barcelona will at least receive some minor respite knowing that their complaints are being heard, regardless of the points that the referee has potentially cost the Catalan giants from that wrong decision.
