Barça: another refereeing error that won’t go down well…

Already furious about the refereeing against Atlético Madrid (0-4) in the Copa del Rey last week, FC Barcelona feels it has been wronged again after Monday’s defeat against Girona (1-2) in La Liga. The Blaugrana are complaining about a foul on Jules Koundé that led to the second goal.

FC Barcelona is struggling to accept certain refereeing decisions… After the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid (0-4) last Thursday, the Catalan club spoke out and even sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation to complain about the refereeing.

On Monday, the reigning Spanish champions lost 2-1 to Girona in La Liga. And the second goal conceded by the Blaugrana is the subject of real controversy!

Foul on Koundé, Flick’s dig

In fact, on Fran Beltran’s winning goal in the 87th minute, Barça right-back Jules Koundé was fouled by Claudio Echeverri, who crushed his ankle while blocking the ball. Despite the obvious contact, referee César Soto Grado and VAR did not intervene. And in his post-match press conference, coach Hans-Dieter Flick did not hide his annoyance.

“I don’t want to talk about it, everyone saw what happened on the second goal. You all saw that play. Was it a foul or not? Yes? Thank you very much, no need to say more. As I’ve always said, I refuse to complain or make excuses. Referees do a job, sometimes it’s not a good job. But they’re at the same level as us, so maybe not at a good level,” said the German, targeting the referee and his players.

A mistake already acknowledged…

Very quickly, the Technical Committee of Referees acknowledged to the daily newspaper AS that the official and the VAR had made a mistake: the goal should have been disallowed. And in the mixed zone, Echeverri himself admitted his mistake. ‘I stepped on Koundé, yes, but I was running fast and it was an accident. I would have understood if he had called a foul, but luckily they gave us the win,’ smiled the player on loan from Manchester City. In addition to letting Real Madrid take the lead in the standings, Barcelona will have to deal with this new frustration…