Referee Drama Steals the Spotlight as Girona Stuns Barcelona 2-1
16 February 2026
Match Overview
Barcelona were handed a 2-1 defeat by Girona in La Liga's 24th round, sparking wide debate over the officiating.
The deciding goal came after a clear foul on Conde by a Girona player, though the three points represented a significant boost for Girona as they delivered a solid performance.
Standings and Reactions
Girona sit 12th with 29 points, five clear of the relegation zone where Mallorca remains on 24.
Míchel Sánchez, Girona's coach, said after the match: "This win was essential. There are ten teams fighting to escape relegation; beating Barcelona is not just three points, they win 90% of their games."
On the contentious moment, he added: "Claudio stepped into the play. He could have been given a foul, but if not, VAR is right not to intervene."
He further noted: "He used the sole of his foot to clear the ball; if a foul had been awarded on the pitch, that would be normal, but VAR intervention would be a mistake."
Punchline 1: If VAR had a sniper rifle, every controversial call would be headlined as a 'clean hit'—and somehow they'd still argue about it.
Punchline 2: Football would be easier if referees wore helmets with built-in after-dinners; until then, enjoy the drama and the memes.
