In the aftermath of Barcelona's defeat to Real Sociedad, a Spanish referee's conversation with Hansi Flick has been revealed, shedding light on the controversial offside call that denied Robert Lewandowski a goal. The referee insisted that the decision was correct and there was no foul play involved, despite Flick's protests. The close call, made with the assistance of VAR, sparked frustration and debate among fans, further highlighting the importance and impact of technology in modern-day football.
Background:
In a highly anticipated La Liga clash between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, a controversial offside call denied Robert Lewandowski a goal, sparking outrage among Barca fans. The incident occurred in the 69th minute when Lewandowski slipped past the Sociedad defense and fired home from close range. However, the goal was disallowed by the linesman, who judged the striker to be offside. The call was later confirmed by VAR, leaving Lewandowski and Barca furious.
Referee's Conversation:
After the match, a conversation between the referee, Carlos del Cerro Grande, and Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick (who was observing the game) was revealed by Spanish outlet El Chiringuito. In the conversation, del Cerro Grande insisted that the offside call was correct and that there was no foul play involved.
Flick's Protest:
Flick, however, protested the decision, arguing that Lewandowski was obstructed by Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand. Flick also pointed out that Le Normand had used his hand to impede Lewandowski's run, which should have been deemed a foul.
VAR's Role:
The controversy highlights the increasingly prominent role of VAR in modern-day football. While VAR is intended to correct officiating errors, it can sometimes be subjective and lead to contentious decisions. In this case, the VAR officials agreed with the linesman's offside call, nonostante Flick's protests.
FAQs:
1. Was Lewandowski offside?
The linesman and VAR officials ruled that Lewandowski was offside by a few millimeters.
2. Did Le Normand commit a foul?
The referee did not consider Le Normand's contact with Lewandowski to be a foul.
3. Was the decision fair?
Opinions vary on whether the offside call was fair. Some believe it was a correct application of the offside rule, while others argue that the decision was harsh.
4. What is the future of VAR in football?
VAR is still a relatively new technology in football, and its use is likely to evolve over time. The incident between Barcelona and Real Sociedad highlights the potential for controversy when subjective decisions are made with the assistance of technology.
5. What impact did the decision have on the match?
Barcelona went on to lose the match 1-0, and the disallowed goal could have potentially changed the outcome.
The PCB has released a statement confirming that match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised for his actions during the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan. According to the PCB, Pycroft cited miscommunication as the reason for prohibiting handshakes between the two teams, a decision which caused a delay in the match and sparked controversy. The ICC has also stated that they will investigate the incident after receiving a complaint from the PCB.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has once again reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings, as confirmed by ESPNCricinfo. The 29-year-old batter hit a half-century and a century in the recently concluded series against Australia, solidifying her position at the top. This is Mandhana's fourth time becoming the No. 1 ODI batter, previously achieving the feat in January 2019 and July 2021. With the Women's ODI World Cup starting on September 30, Mandhana's return to the top spot is great news for India. The team will look to improve upon their runner-up finish in the 2017 edition, and Mandhana's form will be crucial in achieving that.
In the second ODI against Australia, Smriti Mandhana stole the show with her impressive batting performance, scoring a century in just 77 balls. With this, she became the second-fastest Indian to score a ton in ODIs, and the first Asian cricketer to reach 15 international tons. However, India suffered a major blow as star batter Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the series due to illness. Her absence will be greatly felt in the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup, where India has a good chance to win their first ICC event.
Arsenal secured a solid victory against Athletic Bilbao in the opening game of the Champions League 2025/26 season, thanks to second-half substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta praised the impact of his finishers, emphasizing their importance this season. Despite a dominant start from the Spanish side, the strong defensive performance from Arsenal's four Spaniards, including former Real Sociedad players Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, secured the win for the English side.
French forward Kylian Mbappe put on a show for Real Madrid as he scored two goals to secure a 2-1 victory against Marseille in their Champions League opener. Despite Madrid going down to 10 men and Marseille taking an early lead, Mbappe's goals proved to be the difference for the Spanish giants. The game was not without controversy as both teams had penalty calls, but Mbappe's successful conversion secured the win for Madrid, who are looking to make a strong comeback in the Champions League after seeing their rival PSG win it last season.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.