CTA admits Albacete goal against Deportivo should have stood
Spanish refereeing committee acknowledges crucial error in Deportivo vs Albacete clash, while still defending VAR's non-intervention in the controversial decision.
Referees in Spain have dropped another clanger, and this time it’s Albacete who’ve been left feeling robbed after officials admitted their disallowed goal against Deportivo La Coruña should have counted.
The controversial moment
With Deportivo leading 1-0 at Riazor, Albacete thought they’d levelled through Valverde’s strike, only for the referee to chalk it off for a supposed foul in the build-up. The decision sent the Albacete faithful absolutely barking mad, as the contact looked minimal at best.
The Technical Refereeing Committee (CTA) has now come clean, acknowledging the goal should have stood as there was no infringement worthy of disallowing it.
Albacete’s official complaint
The club wasn’t having any of it at the time, releasing an official statement expressing their frustration with the referee’s match report, which they felt didn’t accurately reflect what happened on the pitch.
In their statement, Albacete mentioned they’ve repeatedly raised concerns about decisions in various matches this season, suggesting this wasn’t just a one-off grievance but part of a pattern they’ve noticed in LaLiga Hypermotion.
VAR controversy continues
In a proper dog’s dinner of logic, while admitting the referee got it wrong, the CTA still defended the VAR team’s decision not to intervene. Their reasoning?
- The on-field decision had “regulatory support” according to the committee
- As it was deemed an “interpretative decision” from the referee on the pitch
- VAR shouldn’t have stepped in to correct the action
This explanation is unlikely to appease Albacete, who’ll feel they’ve been done up like a kipper in a crucial moment that could impact their season.
The incident adds more fuel to the ongoing debates about officiating standards and VAR implementation in Spanish football’s second tier, where promotion and relegation can hinge on such marginal calls.