Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has voiced his concerns regarding the impact of refereeing decisions and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) interventions on the team’s La Liga campaign, suggesting the club faces a greater scrutiny than its rivals. The comments approach amid a broader debate about the consistency and fairness of officiating in Spanish football, with Barcelona recently lodging a formal complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding perceived inconsistencies.
The discussion surrounding officiating intensified following a recent Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid, where a goal from Pau Cubarsí was disallowed after an eight-minute VAR review due to an offside call. This incident, compounded by a failure of the semi-automated offside technology, prompted Barcelona to formally express “deep concern” over refereeing decisions that they believe are “damaging to the game.” The club’s complaint highlights issues ranging from disciplinary criteria to the transparency of VAR application, fueling a narrative that Barcelona is held to a higher standard.
VAR Interventions: A League-Wide Trend
The use of VAR in La Liga has been steadily increasing, with 162 VAR interventions already recorded in the 2024-25 season as of April 22nd, 2025 – nearly one every two matches (1.96 per game). This figure is on pace to surpass the all-time record of 179 set in the 2022-23 season. Critics argue that the Spanish Referees’ Technical Committee (CTA) needs to refine its approach, particularly regarding interventions on subjective calls.
Data indicates that Barcelona is significantly impacted by VAR reviews. According to reports from February 16th, 2026, Barcelona has had VAR interrupt their league matches a staggering 16 times up to Matchday 23. While the club has benefited from eight VAR interventions – including the dismissal of three opponents and a goal awarded to Robert Lewandowski – they are also tied with Real Madrid for the most VAR calls against them in the entire division. These setbacks include disallowed goals for Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez and penalties conceded for handballs by Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, and Eric Garcia.
Barcelona’s Formal Complaint: Five Key Points
Barcelona’s formal complaint to the RFEF outlined five specific areas of concern: lack of consistency in disciplinary criteria, contradictory criteria in handball decisions, accumulation of significant errors, the use and transparency of VAR, and criteria for on-field reviews via TV monitor. The club specifically questioned “the use and proper application of the technology, particularly in millimetre-level decisions that are not accompanied by conclusive technical explanations.” Barcelona has requested the full publication of all VAR audio recordings to enhance transparency and refereeing education.
Hansi Flick’s comments reflect a shift in his public stance on refereeing. Previously, Flick had been more reserved in his criticism, but the recent incidents appear to have prompted a more forceful response. The manager’s statement, responding to a question about whether Barcelona needs to overcome more obstacles than other teams, underscores the growing frustration within the club.
Broader Context: La Liga and Refereeing Scrutiny
The increased scrutiny of refereeing in La Liga is not unique to Barcelona. Real Madrid has also experienced a relatively low number of VAR interventions compared to other teams, raising questions about fairness across the league. The implementation of semi-automated offside technology, while intended to improve accuracy, has also contributed to more frequent reviews and overturned goals – 36 goals overturned for incorrect offside calls so far this season, compared to just 22 last season.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing technological assistance with the subjective nature of football officiating. The RFEF and the CTA face pressure to address the concerns raised by Barcelona and other clubs to maintain the integrity and credibility of La Liga.
Looking ahead, the RFEF is expected to review Barcelona’s complaint and consider potential reforms to the VAR protocol and refereeing guidelines. The outcome of this review could have significant implications for the remainder of the La Liga season and beyond, potentially influencing the title race and the overall perception of fairness in Spanish football. The league’s stakeholders will be closely watching for any changes to address the growing concerns surrounding officiating.
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