Bite and Blitz: A Shocking Moment Shakes Spain's Third Tier Match
21 February 2026
Unusual Bite Sparks Red Cards in a Spanish Football Clash
Spanish player repeats Suarez's bite.
In Racing Ferrol's clash with Celta Fortuna, part of Group 1 in Spain's third tier, an unusual moment cast a shadow over the game as the referee flashed a red card in the eighth minute.
The bite controversy began during a scramble for the ball between Racing Ferrol's Alex Zielaya and his rival Álvaro Márin, when Zielaya bit his opponent's arm.
Although the referee did not see the bite live, he consulted the Football Video Support (FVS) system and then sent the player off. The referee's decision to consult the footage and escalate the incident drew mixed reactions.
The match report described the incident as biting an opponent on the arm, a clear display of violent conduct that warrants a strict disciplinary sanction, and it instantly became the talking point of the league.
The drama continued after the break, as Celta Fortuna's Fran Miller was also sent off for striking an opponent with his arm in a non-competitive moment.
Under the rules, Zielaya could face a suspension of at least four matches, while Miller would face a minimum of two.
What is FVS? It is a simplified version of VAR that lets coaches request targeted video reviews during a match, and it helped reveal misconduct that might have slipped through without technology.
The bite incident also evokes memories of Luis Suárez, who earned the nickname 'the Biter' in modern football.
Notably, it recalls Liverpool's 2013 bite against Branislav Ivanović, and the 2014 World Cup moment with Giorgio Chiellini, which led to a lengthy ban and global debate.
As the season goes on, fans will watch whether technology keeps discipline level and avoids turning pitch battles into viral clips online.
Punchline 1: If biting makes you a legend, I guess halftime snacks are about to become top-tier transfers.
Punchline 2: The only thing better than VAR is a bite-sized review that actually bites back.
