Referee Panel Breaks Silence: Was Barcelona Robbed by the Derby Goal?
17 February 2026
Derby Controversy: Referees Respond to Barcelona-Girona Incident
On Monday, the referees' technical committee commented on the controversial moment in the Catalan derby between Barcelona and Girona in Round 24 of La Liga.
Barça fell behind in the 80th minute after a disputed sequence near the penalty area: a Girona player collided with Jules Koundé's leg, allowing the play to continue and enabling Fran Beltrán to convert the go-ahead 2-1.
Barcelona's protests against the referee's decision intensified, not only at the moment Koundé hit the ground but also after the goal and in post-match comments.
AS reports that the refereeing committee considers an unawarded foul in the move preceding Girona's go-ahead at Montilivi.
Additionally, Iturralde González, a referee expert for AS and Cadena SER, argued that the goal should not have counted because the challenge stopped the defender from continuing, and a yellow card for the Girona player would have been warranted.
Barça dropped from the La Liga summit, ending the day with 58 points, behind Real Madrid on 60.
The governing panel stopped short of reversing the decision, leaving the match result intact and the controversy alive until the next matchday.
Fans reacted online, with supporters arguing for or against the decision, while the coaches planned to study the replay in preparation for upcoming fixtures.
Punchline 1: If referees keep drawing crowds to decisions, maybe they should start charging admission for every controversial call.
Punchline 2: And if VAR ever retires, can we hire a coffee machine as backup ref? It would at least bring better mood and caffeine to offside calls.
