VAR Under Fire in Spain After Elche Denied Penalty
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Elche drew 0-0 with Villarreal but is protesting a missed penalty call when player Roy Rabivo was allegedly fouled. Spanish media criticized the VAR for not intervening on a clear shirt pull in the box. Coach Martín Anselmi expressed confusion over the decision, which is contrary to current football regulations regarding VAR's role in penalty incidents.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Elche was denied a penalty against Villarreal after Roy Rabivo was allegedly fouled.
- Spanish media criticized the VAR for not intervening on a clear shirt pull in the penalty area.
- Elche coach Martín Anselmi expressed confusion over the VAR's decision.
- The incident occurred during Elche's 0-0 draw with Villarreal on Saturday.
- Football regulations allow VAR to intervene in uncalled penalties, including shirt pulls.
Elche secured a valuable away point in a 0-0 draw against Villarreal on Saturday, but the team left the match feeling disappointed due to a controversial non-call.
During the game, Elche player Roy Rabivo was allegedly fouled inside the penalty area when Alberto Moleiro pulled his shirt. However, the VAR did not intervene, and no penalty was awarded, sparking criticism in Spain.
Spanish sports outlet "AS" published a headline stating, "The VAR saved Villarreal," and commented that Rabivo should have been awarded a penalty for a clear shirt pull. The outlet further noted that such incidents typically do not warrant VAR intervention, and this specific situation significantly slowed down the game.
Elche coach Martín Anselmi expressed his confusion, stating, "I understood that every shirt pull shouldn't be checked by VAR this season, because it's a foul. I don't know how hard they pulled the shirt, but I was sure it was a penalty. Maybe I'm wrong."
According to football regulations, VAR is permitted to intervene in cases of uncalled penalties, including shirt pulls. The VAR's mandate includes correcting unjust penalty decisions. The rules stipulate that a clear shirt pull preventing a player from reaching the ball in the penalty area should result in a penalty.
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