De Jong fuming over VAR controversy: 'If that image isn't AI, it's a scandal'
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has questioned the VAR decision that ruled out Cubarsí's goal during their Copa del Rey humiliation at the Metropolitano.
Barcelona’s Dutch midfielder couldn’t hide his frustration after the Catalan giants suffered a proper spanking at the Metropolitano, with a controversial VAR decision adding salt to their wounds.
Seven-minute VAR drama
Frenkie de Jong expressed his disbelief at the lengthy VAR review that eventually chalked off what would have been Cubarsí’s goal early in the second half of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey elimination.
“I think it took too long because it’s not that difficult to see,” De Jong told Sporty TV. “They said something about the system being broken, but then I saw an image where you can clearly see it’s not offside.”
The Dutch midfielder appeared particularly baffled by the images shown on television, which he claims didn’t properly show the moment of contact with the ball before Cubarsí’s finish.
“If what they’re calling is based on the image I saw - and if it’s not AI or something because you never know these days - but if that’s the photo, then yes, it’s a scandal, because it’s crystal clear,” De Jong fumed.
Barça’s Atletico nightmare
Beyond the VAR controversy, De Jong was honest about his team’s abysmal performance that saw them concede four goals at the Metropolitano:
- “It was a very poor first half for us”
- “We lost the ball in dangerous areas”
- “They were effective on the counter-attack”
- “We should have done better”
When asked if nerves played a part in the defeat, De Jong dismissed the suggestion, instead pointing to fundamental errors in Barcelona’s play, particularly when losing possession in dangerous areas.
“Against Atletico, with so much quality in their attacking players especially, it was a difficult match,” he concluded, as Barcelona’s Copa del Rey dreams ended in embarrassing fashion.
The result leaves Barcelona with just La Liga and the Champions League to fight for this season, with questions surely to be asked about their mentality in big games away from home.