Laporta Makes a Surprise Entrance as Referees Toast Barcelona's Defeat in Anoeta
21 January 2026
Match fallout and referee celebrations
Following a precise performance in the Real Sociedad vs Barcelona clash, VAR interventions sparked anger among the Catalan club, while the refereeing trio left Anoeta with evident satisfaction, celebrating in the same parking lot in front of unsuspecting witnesses.
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was heading to his car when he unexpectedly encountered the referees' public display of mutual congratulations, led by head official Jesus Gil Manzano. The main referee even elicited an outburst from Frenkie de Jong on the field, as Del Cerro Grande from the Las Rozas VAR room reviewed angles that often harmed Barcelona. Even Hansi Flick did not miss the chance to deliver a sarcastic compliment at the post-match press conference.
Portents of shock: Laporta and his companions, still reeling, watched the officials bask in a public display of satisfaction, and left the stadium visibly annoyed in front of onlookers who were present for the moment.
In the aftermath, the spectacle of celebration stood in stark contrast to the mood inside Barcelona’s corridors, underscoring the tension surrounding the officiating crew and the spectators alike.
In a related recirculation feature, a Champions League link to Slavia Prague vs Barcelona appeared, reminding readers that the season’s drama extends beyond a single match.
Three controversial moments that sparked debate
Among the moments that keep generating questions when replayed, three stand out:
The frame used to disallow Lamine Yamal's goal for offside, in a sequence that also showcased a striking intervention on Jules Conde.
The earlier foul on Dani Olmo at the start of the attack that produced Real Sociedad's first goal.
A clear push inside the penalty area on Fermin as he prepared to shoot after the ball bounced off the post following Conde's attempt, a sequence not shown in TV replays.
In the offside on Lamine Yamal, several TV angles show his foot was fully on the ground at the moment of contact, while the semi-automatic frame suggested his heel was off the ground, a mismatch with reality.
With all these precedents fueling the debate, the referees showed neither restraint nor decorum after the match, instead offering a public display of satisfaction that further aggravated Barcelona's anger.
Punchline 1: The whistle was louder than the crowd, and the parking lot got a standing ovation—now that is crowd control.
Punchline 2: If VAR is the new oracle, tonight it prophesied nothing but laughter.
