Conversation between referee, VAR over penalty incident from Getafe 0-0 Barcelona leaked: “Clear hand”

Barcelona started the 2023/24 season with a controversial 0-0 draw against Getafe where both teams had a sending-off each. It all started in the 42nd minute when Raphinha received his marching orders and in the second period, Jaime Mata was shown a red.

Barcelona were desperately trying to avoid a repeat of the previous year’s struggles against Getafe and until the added minutes of the second half, the game was tied at 0-0.

In the last moments, Ronald Araujo fell in the penalty area after a clear challenge by Juan Iglesias. Initially, the referee, Cesar Soto Grado, didn’t call anything. However, the match was paused for a few minutes because the VAR official, Iglesias Villanueva, indicated a possible penalty. 

Ultimately, the referee did not award the penalty due to a claimed handball by Gavi in a previous play.

Why was it not awarded?

Interestingly enough, Jijantes (h/t Mundo Deportivo) released a leaked VAR audio conversation between the officials which explains how and why no penalty was awarded to Barcelona despite a clear foul on Araujo.

“He kicks him in the foot when Araujo controls the ball, that’s enough. (Snorts) It’s as absurd as him contacting him, I have to call,” said the VAR official before the match referee was asked to intervene.

Ronald Araujo was fouled in the Getafe penalty area. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

“Let’s see if there is Gavi’s hand. Ugh, yes there is a point of contact. He takes it with his hand. He takes it with his biceps, he just took it with his biceps, right? Let him come see it and see the hand because he makes the gesture,” said the VAR official. 

“Cesar, I’m going to show you a penalty and a previous handball by Gavi, who takes the ball. You’ll see everything. Give him the hit and then the handball,” he added.

Upon watching the incident, Cesar said, “Oh, he hits him a little bit (in reference to the defensive hit on the Uruguayan).”

Villanueva’s response to the incident was, “We’re going to put this one so you can see that it hits his biceps and he keeps taking it with his biceps, stop it on his biceps. Clear hand.”

The match referee eventually made a decision and no penalty was awarded to Barcelona.