Watch: Valencia defender escapes punishment for a reckless challenge on Barcelona star | OneFootball

The quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey between Valencia and Barcelona saw an early moment of controversy that sparked heated debates.

In the eighth minute, Valencia’s Hugo Guillamon made a tackle on Pedri, which led to protests from Barcelona players.

The referee, Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, halted the match to check on Pedri, who was visibly in pain after Guillamon’s tackle struck the side of his ankle.

Despite the severity of the situation, Guillamon did not receive any disciplinary action. The VAR official, Valentin Pizarro Gomez, chose not to call the referee to review the incident, even as Barcelona players continued to appeal for a reconsideration.

The lack of intervention left many questioning the effectiveness of the VAR system in critical moments.

Assessing the challenge

Former referee and analyst Iturralde Gonzalez expressed his belief that VAR should have stepped in, highlighting the dangerous nature of Guillamon’s challenge.

According to Gonzalez, the tackle was executed with excessive force and at a considerable height, making it a risky play that warranted further scrutiny.

“In my opinion, it is a rough and serious play. He goes to the ground with excessive force with the board in front and at a considerable height.”

“The referee is so close, that the perspective of seeing the two bodies and the impact is always less. You see these plays much better when you are 10-15 meters away. In my opinion, the VAR had to warn him,” he explained as relayed by AS.

Pedri is fine

Fortunately for Barcelona, Pedri was able to continue playing after receiving treatment on the pitch. He not only recovered but went on to deliver an impressive performance, showcasing his footballing brilliance throughout the match.

The incident reignited discussions about the growing controversy surrounding refereeing decisions in Spanish football.

In recent weeks, officiating has come under intense criticism. A notable example was the refereeing in Espanyol’s match against Real Madrid, which prompted Real Madrid to lodge a formal complaint with the RFEF and the CSD.