Barcelona president Joan Laporta after a possible VAR error in the match against Real Madrid: – Wants a rematch

Joan Laporta believes a possible wrongful annulment against Real Madrid could justify a rematch.

Wednesday 24 April at 10:41 a.m

– If, after reviewing video recordings and audio from the situation, it is confirmed that there was an error in the VAR assessment, we will take all available steps to reverse the situation, without excluding demanding a rematch, says the Barcelona president in a video the club released out the day after the match:

Barcelona lost 3-2 against Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico. One situation in particular has been hotly debated afterwards.

At 1–1, Barcelona and Lamine Yamal thought they had increased to 1–2. But neither the linesman nor VAR’s camera angles could determine with 100 percent certainty whether the ball was actually in or not.

After a long VAR check, the goal was disallowed.

– If it is confirmed that it was a goal, we will consider demanding a rematch, continues the Barcelona president.

– They must have a secure image that shows that the ball is in for a goal to be awarded. If they don’t have it, then they have to play on, commented Simen Stamsø-Møller, TV 2’s football expert, when the replays rolled across the screen.

– If the VAR check cannot conclude that the ball is over the line: not a goal, he followed up.

La Liga is the only one of top five leaguesPremier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1. as not has finish line technology. That’s what outgoing Barcelona coach Xavi expressed dissatisfaction with after the match:

– It is a shame that we do not have goal line technology. If we want to be the best league in the world, then we have to have it, said the coach.

– The technology costs money. They don’t have that in La Liga, commented Stamsø-Møller.

Club president Laporta also shared his general views on VAR in the video:

– I am not a big supporter of VAR, because I think it takes away the spontaneity of football. But now that we have it, we must use it to avoid mistakes that could lead to unfair decisions.

Laporta believes that there were several debatable situations in the match, but that the canceled goal to Yamal was the most decisive.