VAR Audio Reveals Madrid Derby Controversy 🎙️⚽

VAR Audio Reveals Controversial Penalty in Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid Derby 🎙️⚽

📅 Date: February 9, 2025

🏟️ Match: Atletico Madrid 🆚 Real Madrid

⚖️ Incident: Controversial penalty decision against Aurelien Tchouameni

The Madrid Derby never fails to deliver drama, and this time, it came with VAR controversy. A penalty decision against Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni sparked heated debates, and now, the official VAR audio has surfaced, shedding light on how the decision was made.

🔎 Let’s dive deep into what happened, what the VAR officials discussed, and how this decision shaped the game.

🔥 The Controversial Moment

📌 Situation: In the first half, Atletico Madrid’s Samu Lino went down inside the penalty box after what appeared to be a challenge from Tchouameni.

📌 Decision: The referee, César Soto Grado, initially let play continue. However, after a VAR review, he awarded a penalty to Atletico Madrid.

📌 Outcome: Julian Alvarez converted from the spot, giving Atletico a crucial lead.

🎥 But was the decision correct? The newly released VAR audio provides a clearer picture.

🎙️ What Was Said in the VAR Room?

The VAR official, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, recommended an On-Field Review (OFR), telling Soto Grado:

🗣️ "César, I recommend an OFR to evaluate a possible penalty."

As Soto Grado approached the monitor, the VAR team presented multiple video angles:

🎥 VAR Official: "This is the action. The initial view is unclear, but let me show you a higher-quality version. Here, you can see the stomp."

👀 Soto Grado’s Observations:

✅ "He steps on him with his cleats."

✅ "Give me another angle from behind."

However, the VAR team could not provide a clearer angle than what was already available.

🎥 VAR Official: "These are the best quality angles we have."

📢 Final Decision:

⚖️ Soto Grado: "I’m going to give a penalty. I’m not going to give him a warning. Only a penalty."

Despite protests from Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vázquez, and Dani Ceballos, the referee stood firm on his call.

😡 Real Madrid’s Reaction

The decision infuriated Real Madrid players and fans, with many believing that the contact was minimal. The debate centered around:

❌ Was the contact intentional?

❌ Was there enough force to warrant a penalty?

❌ Was there clear and obvious evidence to overturn the on-field call?

⚪ Jude Bellingham was among the most vocal, demanding an explanation from the referee.

📊 Expert Opinions – Was It a Penalty?

🔍 Referee Analysts’ Take:

📢 Eduardo Iturralde González (Former La Liga Referee):

✔️ "There was clear contact, but it’s a soft penalty. It depends on the referee’s interpretation."

📢 Andujar Oliver (Referee Expert):

❌ "I wouldn’t have given it. The contact was minimal and not enough to be a clear error."

📢 Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid Coach):

😏 "We’ve seen worse calls go against us. Today, VAR worked as it should."

📢 Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid Coach):

😤 "VAR was supposed to correct mistakes, not create them."

🚀 Impact on the Match & La Liga Title Race

⚖️ Match Result: 1️⃣-1️⃣ (Draw)

📊 La Liga Standings:

🔴 Atletico Madrid – Remains in the top 4 race

⚪ Real Madrid – Drops 2 crucial points in the title fight

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ VAR remains controversial, even with released audio.

✅ Referee decisions impact big matches.

✅ This could affect La Liga’s title race.

🔮 What Happens Next?

🚀 Upcoming Madrid Matches:

🏆 Real Madrid 🆚 Barcelona (El Clásico) – A must-win for Los Blancos!

🏆 Atletico Madrid 🆚 Sevilla – Can Atletico build on this result?

👀 Will VAR debates continue to dominate La Liga?

💬 What’s your opinion? Was it a penalty or another example of VAR inconsistencies? Let us know in the comments!

#VAR #RealMadrid #AtleticoMadrid #LaLiga #MadridDerby #Football