VAR audio for the three controversial moments in Real Madrid vs Almeria released
There was no dearth of drama at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening when Real Madrid took on Almeria.
The bottom-placed side appeared set to take three points from the league’s highest-placed team, but some controversial VAR decisions gave Real Madrid inroads back into the game.
Several Almeria players called out foul play after the game, for the decisions were harsh on them. Yet, from Carlo Ancelotti’s perspective, all decisions were justified and correct.
MARCA have released the transcript of the conversation between the on-field referee, Hernandez Maeso and the VAR official Hernandez Hernandez for all controversial calls on the night. To begin with, the conversation about Real Madrid’s penalty on the night that VAR called out went as follows.
"Fran, I’m going to recommend an on-field review for the hand of the Almeria defender," Hernandez Hernandez told Maeso after the foul.
"I put you high behind view so that you can see it in context and the separation between players. Now the action is yours, you to decide," he added.
The on-field referee replied, "Perfect. I’m going to whistle a penalty without a card."
The visitors had a goal disallowed in the second period for a foul in the buildup, and many felt it was an unfair decision that took the game away from Almeria.
"Come and see it, Fran, I recommend an on-field review for possible foul in attack in the action of the goal," the VAR official suggested immediately after Almeria’s goal.
After reviewing the decision, Maeso concurred with Hernandez’s suspicion and said, "Yes, it is indeed the start (of the attack phase). Therefore, I’m going to whistle a foul in favour of Real Madrid and cancel the goal and yellow to 6, the player of Almería."
Arguably the most controversial moment on the night came when Vinicius Jr equalised the score for Los Blancos, seemingly hitting the ball with his shoulder. Unsurprisingly, the situation was reviewed by VAR.
"I recommend an on-field review so that you can see the no hand, the possible no hand. Give me the right inverse. Stop at the point of contact," VAR suggested.
The on-field referee asked for the point of contact once more to clarify with VAR, to which Hernandez Hernandez replied, "He hits him on the shoulder. You value the possible foul in attack."
Responding, the on-field referee said: "I agree with you and the ball hits the shoulder. Give me a high behind. One more frame. Perfect, he hits him with his shoulder and it’s a valid goal. I’m going to point out a goal, there’s no foul."