‘Good for nothing more than to harm teams’ – VAR slammed by Atletico president following Julian Alvarez two-touch penalty controversy in Champions League derby defeat to Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid turned around their first-leg deficit against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 second-leg tie at Wanda Metropolitano and took Los Blancos all the way to a penalty shootout. However, the Rojiblancos were knocked out after they missed two spot-kicks compared to Real's one, including Alvarez's controversial two-touch penalty, which was originally called a goal by the on-field referee but cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

VAR has been scrutinized extensively since the Alvarez penalty controversy, with Atletico Madrid also lodging a complaint with UEFA regarding the incident. The Rojiblancos' president, Cerezo, has now openly criticized the use of VAR, calling the system "good for nothing" and adding that VAR is there to "harm teams".

Speaking to Telemundo Deportes, Cerezo said: “Until Wednesday night we were ready for the three competitions: Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga. But that day, an incident with an aparto, a system or a terrifying tool, which is very bad, that is good for nothing more than to harm teams and that is called VAR, because they truncated one of the greatest illusions for us, which was to continue in the Champions League.

“I don’t like VAR, but it’s not that I say it now, I’ve always said it. I don’t criticise the VAR for the mistake the other day. Because it’s not a mistake by the referee; it’s a VAR error. I don’t know where they saw the ball touch the same leg twice on a player’s leg. VAR is a conflictive tool, which is not safe and above all, we all believe that it was brought to make football fairer, and I believe that it has been brought to make it more unfair.”

Los Rojiblancos have been in good form this season, with Alvarez having played a major role in Diego Simeone's altered game plans. They are currently involved in a three-way La Liga title battle against Barcelona and Real Madrid and will face the Blaugrana next with the possibility of leapfrogging Hansi Flick's team into second.