Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt
+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA-REAL MADRIDAFP
Translated by

Did the Clásico referee overlook sending off a Barcelona star?

Joao Cancelo's challenge on Yan Diomande sparked plenty of controversy in the 60th minute of the Clasico, pitting the Barcelona man against his Real Madrid opponent.

According to the newspaper AS, the referee waved play on after Cancelo stamped on Diomande, who felt pain in his leg muscle as a result.

Iturralde Gonzalez, the refereeing analyst for AS and Cadena SER radio, reckons the Barcelona defender should have been booked for the incident.

He said: "This is not a case that calls for the intervention of VAR technology. It is a clear yellow card, and the player should be cautioned."

He stressed: "But it is not a clear stamping action involving the use of excessive force on the opponent's leg. Yes, it is a yellow card."

Archivo VAR, the website specialising in refereeing incidents, took a similar line: "Does Cancelo's challenge on Diomande deserve a straight red card? No."

Its verdict went on: "Cancelo made the challenge with the sole of his foot, without applying excessive pressure, and it ended in a contact that led to a scrape on the area of his opponent's calf muscle."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Follow GOAL on Google