Prominent Spanish journalist Tomás Guasch has launched a scathing attack on La Liga's video assistant referee officials, alleging they actively search for reasons to disallow Real Madrid goals while applying different standards to other clubs. Speaking on the Defensa Central YouTube channel, Guasch condemned what he described as systematic bias in the VAR room following Madrid's defeat to Real Betis.
The controversy centres on a disallowed header by Carlos Espí in the 87th minute against Betis. On-field referee Hernández Hernández initially awarded the goal after Espí received a pass from Vinícius, but VAR official Iglesias Villanueva overturned the decision for offside. Guasch's frustration stemmed from what he viewed as excessive scrutiny applied exclusively to Madrid's attacking plays.
Allegations of Bad Faith Decision-Making
Guasch, a columnist for El Debate and contributor to Cadena COPE radio, did not mince words about his assessment. "They replay the footage, rewind two or three times until they find that the player was in an offside position," he explained. "I'm telling you they wouldn't disallow this goal if it were for another team." He argued that modern VAR technology—with multiple screens and assistant officials—should eliminate uncertainty rather than create opportunities for subjective interpretation.
The journalist's critique extended to what he called "VAR commandos," suggesting that decision-makers operate with predetermined conclusions rather than neutral evaluation. "The person up there already knows what he has to do," Guasch stated, implying institutional bias within La Liga's refereeing structure.
Mbappé Penalty Controversy Adds Fuel
Guasch also targeted the handling of a missed Kylian Mbappé penalty kick during the same match. Marc Bartra encroached into the penalty area before the French striker's attempt, a technical violation that should ordinarily result in a retake under international rules. Instead, officials declined to order a second kick.
- Guasch accused VAR of inventing rules and violating international football law
- He highlighted the inconsistency in applying encroachment rulings
- The journalist claimed decision-makers prioritise narrative outcomes over rulebook compliance
With his background as former deputy editor-in-chief of AS newspaper and columnist for Marca, Guasch carries significant credibility within Spanish football media circles. His allegations resonate amid broader questions about VAR consistency across Europe's top leagues. Real Madrid now faces continued scrutiny of officiating decisions as the season progresses, with the club's next fixtures likely to attract heightened attention from both supporters and analysts monitoring whether Guasch's claims hold empirical weight.
