Spanish Referees Committee Admits Elche Denied Penalty

By מערכת אתר ערוץ הספורט

Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba

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Spain's Technical Committee of Referees has ruled that Israeli defender Roi Rabibo of Elche was denied a penalty in a recent match against Villarreal. The committee stated that Alberto Moleiro should have received a penalty and a yellow card for pulling Rabibo's shirt. Referee Victor Garcia's initial penalty call was overturned by VAR, a decision now deemed incorrect by the committee.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Spanish referees committee admits Elche's Roi Rabibo was denied a penalty against Villarreal.
The committee ruled Alberto Moleiro should have received a penalty and a yellow card.
VAR intervention led to the incorrect overturning of the referee's initial penalty call.
Elche's coach Martin Anselmi stated he was certain it was a penalty.
Spanish media had criticized VAR for "saving Villarreal" after the match.

Spanish Referees Committee Admits Elche Denied Penalty — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Spain's Technical Committee of Referees has acknowledged that Israeli defender Roi Rabibo of Elche was wrongly denied a penalty kick during his team's recent 0-0 draw against Villarreal. The committee determined that Rabibo should have been awarded a penalty and that Villarreal's Alberto Moleiro should have received a yellow card for pulling Rabibo's shirt inside the box.

The incident occurred when Moleiro tugged on Rabibo's jersey. Referee Victor Garcia initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after VAR intervention, he reviewed the play on the monitor and overturned his decision. The committee now states that Garcia's original call was correct and the VAR review was unwarranted.

This assessment was published on the program "Time for Review," which analyzes controversial calls from the latest matchday. The committee's message was clear: a penalty should have been awarded to Elche, and Moleiro should have been cautioned.

Criticism of the VAR decision emerged in the Spanish media immediately after the game. The newspaper "AS" reported that VAR had "saved Villarreal," highlighting the clear shirt-pull and Rabibo's entitlement to a penalty. Elche's coach, Martin Anselmi, also expressed his frustration, stating, "I was sure it was a penalty."

Although Elche ultimately settled for a draw, they have now received official confirmation that a crucial decision went against them incorrectly. For Rabibo, this means recognition that the foul committed against him should have resulted in a penalty, with VAR intervention preventing his team from having that opportunity.

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