VAR reveals reason for Real Betis goal disallowed against FC Barcelona

Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' has revealed details of the conversation between the referee of the FC Barcelona and Real Betis match and the VAR room concerning the disallowance of a goal by Giovani Lo Celso in the 43rd minute, during the match that ended with the Catalan team winning 5-2 in LaLiga.

The goal would have given Real Betis an equaliser at 2-2, but referee Ricardo de Burgos disallowed it after reviewing the incident due to a handball by Betis forward Cucho Hernández at the start of the attack, as he used his left arm to control the ball while battling with Gerard Martín.

The attack continued after Jules Koundé cleared the ball without controlling it, before Real Betis regained possession and the ball reached Giovani Lo Celso, who scored with a direct shot. Following the goal, referee Carlos del Cerro Grande asked De Burgos to review a potential handball, clarifying that the Betis player made an additional movement to control the ball.

After reviewing the footage and the entire sequence of the attack, De Burgos stated: "For me, it is the same phase of the attack, as FC Barcelona did not have possession of the ball at any moment." He decided to disallow the goal and award a direct free kick in favour of FC Barcelona.

The newspaper clarified that the decision was based on the continuation of the attacking possession phase, known as APP, despite Koundé touching the ball. The current season's referees' guide states that this phase ends when one of the teams successfully gains control of the ball.