Hours after Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, criticism of VAR referee Figueroa Vázquez continues to mount. The Spanish Referees’ Committee (CTA) has expressed its anger toward the Andalusian official, accusing him of a blatant error for failing to call a foul on Rodrygo Goes in the 13th minute.
Real Madrid, now facing their fifth loss of the season, once again fell short in La Liga in a match characterized by a lackluster performance and a glaring shortage of chances. However, the turning point of the game could have come early on if Figueroa Vázquez had properly advised the main referee, Sánchez Martínez.
A Controversial Decision
During an incident in the 13th minute, Rodrygo Goes was brought down in the box by Gorosabel. Footage clearly showed that the Basque defender failed to make contact with the ball, yet Figueroa Vázquez informed Sánchez Martínez that no foul had occurred. According to reports from the specialized outlet Archivo VAR, this decision has enraged the CTA, which cannot understand how such an error was made despite clear evidence from the video review.
“The Committee is furious with Figueroa Vázquez,” reports Archivo VAR, adding that this mistake deprived Real Madrid of a crucial penalty early in the game, one that could have altered the match’s momentum.
A Second Warning for Figueroa Vázquez
This mistake is not an isolated incident for the VAR referee. It is already the second time this season that the CTA has sanctioned him for controversial decisions with a direct impact on matches. With this latest warning, his future in elite refereeing could be in jeopardy.
A Match to Forget for Real Madrid
Beyond the controversial refereeing decision, Real Madrid failed to turn the tide despite Jude Bellingham’s equalizer. Kylian Mbappé, tasked with taking a penalty in the second half, missed yet again, adding to a disappointing individual performance. To make matters worse, Federico Valverde, typically reliable, committed a costly error that led to the Basque side’s decisive goal.
After the match, Valverde apologized to his teammates and supporters, while the team now turns its focus to facing Girona this Saturday in La Liga’s 16th matchday. A victory will be crucial to dispel doubts and attempt to revive a season already riddled with challenges.
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