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Real Madrid VAR storm: Spanish FA files police complaint over 'extremely serious' audio leak relating to Vinicius Junior

Champions League

Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid

Audio of conversations between referee Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso and VAR Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez was published after the match. However, audio of another incident involving Vinicius Junior&nbsp;appearing to elbow Almeria defender Alejandro Pozo, that was not checked by VAR, was leaked in the media. The referee appeared to suggest the clash should have been reviewed but stopped short of instructing Maeso to check. The incident has now brought a swift response from the RFEF.

WHAT HAPPENED?

As <a href="https://theathletic.com/5222096/2024/01/23/real-madrid-almeria-var-police/" target="_blank">The Athletic</a> reports, a statement from the Spanish Football Federation confirmed a police complaint has been filed and an internal investigation is underway. The RFEF also said it was "extremely serious” that the audio had been leaked and added: "Necessary measures will be taken to ensure the security of all communications."

WHAT THE RFEF SAID

There were three big VAR calls in the game which saw <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-almeria-jude-bellingham-vinicius-jr/blt0718b88a299db6ca" target="_blank">Madrid recover from going 2-0 down to win 3-2</a>. Los Blancos were awarded a penalty for handball, while Almeria had a goal disallowed which would have made it 3-1. VAR also overturned the decision to disallow a goal by Vinicius, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-get-away-almeria-vent-social-media-var-audio-controversial-vinicius-jr-goal-released/blte9cf75b37a94d98e" target="_blank">which made it 2-2, for handball</a> after claiming it hit his shoulder. The decisions have drawn fury from Madrid's rivals Barcelona, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-president-joan-laporta-real-madrid-var-disgrace-almeria-win-la-liga-referees-abandonment-of-functions/blt7f45a035758f943f" target="_blank">president Joan Laporta describing the VAR calls "a disgrace."</a> Almeria were also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-get-away-almeria-vent-social-media-var-audio-controversial-vinicius-jr-goal-released/blte9cf75b37a94d98e#csb46a0f8680714a4c" target="_blank">left seething after being denied a first win</a> of the season in La Liga.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Refereeing has been in the spotlight all season in La Liga due to a series of controversial calls, and with Barcelona under investigation for alleged payments to a firm owned by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-33-payments-referee-vice-president-206-2018/bltbab0641faaf63e5e">Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira</a>, the former vice-president of the RFEF refereeing committee. It remains to be seen what the ramifications will be from the Almeria match, but there's no doubt it's generated a lot of ill-feeing among Madrid's rivals.

WHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?

Real Madrid VAR storm: Spanish FA files police complaint over 'extremely serious' audio leak relating to Vinicius Junior | Goal.com India

The Spanish Football Federation has filed a police complaint in the wake of Real Madrid&apos;s controversial 3-2 victory over Almeria in La Liga on Sunday.

Real Madrid VAR storm: Spanish FA files police complaint over &apos;extremely serious&apos; audio leak relating to Vinicius Junior

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