In the aftermath of Barcelona's defeat to Real Sociedad, a Spanish referee's conversation with Hansi Flick has been revealed, shedding light on the controversial offside call that denied Robert Lewandowski a goal. The referee insisted that the decision was correct and there was no foul play involved, despite Flick's protests. The close call, made with the assistance of VAR, sparked frustration and debate among fans, further highlighting the importance and impact of technology in modern-day football.
Background:
In a highly anticipated La Liga clash between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, a controversial offside call denied Robert Lewandowski a goal, sparking outrage among Barca fans. The incident occurred in the 69th minute when Lewandowski slipped past the Sociedad defense and fired home from close range. However, the goal was disallowed by the linesman, who judged the striker to be offside. The call was later confirmed by VAR, leaving Lewandowski and Barca furious.
Referee's Conversation:
After the match, a conversation between the referee, Carlos del Cerro Grande, and Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick (who was observing the game) was revealed by Spanish outlet El Chiringuito. In the conversation, del Cerro Grande insisted that the offside call was correct and that there was no foul play involved.
Flick's Protest:
Flick, however, protested the decision, arguing that Lewandowski was obstructed by Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand. Flick also pointed out that Le Normand had used his hand to impede Lewandowski's run, which should have been deemed a foul.
VAR's Role:
The controversy highlights the increasingly prominent role of VAR in modern-day football. While VAR is intended to correct officiating errors, it can sometimes be subjective and lead to contentious decisions. In this case, the VAR officials agreed with the linesman's offside call, nonostante Flick's protests.
FAQs:
1. Was Lewandowski offside?
The linesman and VAR officials ruled that Lewandowski was offside by a few millimeters.
2. Did Le Normand commit a foul?
The referee did not consider Le Normand's contact with Lewandowski to be a foul.
3. Was the decision fair?
Opinions vary on whether the offside call was fair. Some believe it was a correct application of the offside rule, while others argue that the decision was harsh.
4. What is the future of VAR in football?
VAR is still a relatively new technology in football, and its use is likely to evolve over time. The incident between Barcelona and Real Sociedad highlights the potential for controversy when subjective decisions are made with the assistance of technology.
5. What impact did the decision have on the match?
Barcelona went on to lose the match 1-0, and the disallowed goal could have potentially changed the outcome.
The football world was left in shock and mourning after the tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, in a car crash while on holiday in Spain. The 28-year-old forward, who also played for Portugal and various club teams, was remembered by his former teammates and colleagues, including Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, and fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. The football community offers their condolences to the Jota family and hopes for peace for their loved ones in this difficult time.
In a devastating blow to the sporting world, Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Spain. Jota, who was only 28 years old, and Silva, who was 25, were involved in the accident while trying to overtake another car on a highway near the Portuguese border. The news of Jota's death has not only sent shockwaves through the football community, but also touched the hearts of athletes from other sports, such as 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal who expressed his condolences for the young player and his family.
After a thrilling match at Wimbledon, Marin Cilic emerged victorious over Jack Draper, booking his spot in the third round. The former US Open champion showed off his impressive serving skills, firing 16 aces against the Briton. In his on-court interview, Cilic expressed his emotions and credited his team for their support throughout his long and dedicated career. With this win, he also made history by becoming the third-oldest player to defeat a top-five opponent at Wimbledon, surpassing big names like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
World champion Magnus Carlsen has raised doubts about reigning champion Gukesh's performance in shorter time control formats, ahead of their first face-off since the infamous table smashing incident in Norway Chess. However, Gukesh has started strong in the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia, leading the 10-player field along with Carlsen himself. The event will see players compete in rapid and blitz formats, where Gukesh has struggled in the past. With tough competition in the field, including Gukesh's compatriot Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen will have to prove himself against Gukesh in rapid and blitz games.
Harry Brook, the white-ball captain of England, has revealed his reasons for opting out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his desire to participate in the tournament in the future. Despite being bought by Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 6.25 crore, Brook chose to prioritize his duties to the national team, violating BCCI's new rule. However, he remains hopeful of playing in the IPL after his two-year suspension. In the ongoing series against India, Brook impressed with 99 runs in the first test and also praised Indian player Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill, the captain of Team India, made an impressive performance on day 2 of the ongoing Test against England at Edgbaston, becoming the Indian captain with the highest test score by scoring 269 runs. India's new number four batsman proved to be a major problem for England's bowling attack. Meanwhile, Indian pacer Akash Deep made a comeback after giving 11 runs in the first over, picking up two wickets in two balls in the third over of England's innings, putting pressure on the opposition's top order.
In the second Test match between India and England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill dominated the field with an incredible 269 off 387 deliveries, setting the record for the highest individual score by an Indian player against England. His performance helped India reach a massive total of 587 all out. Later, India's pace attack dismantled England's top order, with Akash Deep taking two wickets in two consecutive deliveries. Gill's outstanding performance not only made him the first Asian skipper to score a double century on English soil, but also raised his average to 40 in just three innings in England.
After defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen in classical chess a few weeks back, Indian teenager Gukesh has now done it again in rapid chess at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 in Zagreb. Carlsen, playing with white pieces and in a supposedly weaker format for Gukesh, resigned in the 49th move with a muted reaction. Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a streak of victories against some of the strongest players in the tournament, proving his skills and causing former world champion Garry Kasparov to question Carlsen's domination.
In the second Test against England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill made history by becoming the first Asian captain to score a double century in England. His epic innings of 200 runs helped India reach a commanding position of 564/7 at tea on Day 2. Despite a flat track, England was unable to stop Gill's onslaught, as he formed a formidable partnership with Washington Sundar. Gill's remarkable achievement is a noteworthy moment in his first series as Test skipper, proving himself as a match-winner for India.
Shubman Gill made history by becoming the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double hundred in a Test match in England. His remarkable performance also saw him surpass Sunil Gavaskar's record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter on English soil. Gill, who took 311 deliveries to reach the milestone, joined a select group of Indian captains with double hundreds, including Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and MAK Pataudi.