FC Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Mallorca has been classified as controversial for several incidents in the game. Mallorca received two red cards in one half, and two of Barcelona’s goals in the first half are questionable after replays have shown unclear decisions from the referee.
Barcelona’s first goal was scored by Raphinha, as Lamine Yamal crossed the ball to the Brazilian. Moments before the goal, Yamal kept the ball in the field as it was headed for a throw-in. Replays show that Yamal just kept the ball in, but some believe the ball did go out.
The second goal caused more controversy as Yamal took a shot towards the goal, but Mallorca's Antonio Raillo blocked it with his head. The Mallorca defender goes down in pain, and the referee appears to almost blow his whistle.
The referee does not blow his whistle, but Mallorca players stop playing as it appears Raillo is hurt. Due to no whistle being blown, Barcelona players keep playing, and Ferran Torres takes a shot past Leo Roman to make it 2-0.
To many people’s surprise, the referee counted the goal despite the Mallorca players no longer playing after Raillo went down. After the game, Mallorca manager Jagoba Arrasate revealed what the referee told him after the controversial goal went in.
Why did the referee awarded Ferran Torres’ controversial goal?
Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate explains that he thought the goal would not have counted as he was told that a blow to the head would stop the game. Arrasate saw the referee having his whistle ready to blow, but when he didn’t, the Mallorca coach couldn’t believe it.
Arrasate reveals what the referee told him as to why he counted Ferran Torres' goal.
Jagoba Arrasate: “They told us in a talk that if there’s a blow to the head, the game would be stopped...Everyone thought that the referee blew the whistle, but he gave the goal, and I don’t understand it... He came to me and gave me an explanation. He said the player did not get dizzy.”
Hansi Flick expressed that he would feel the same way the Mallorca coach felt, but acknowledged that the referee made the decision. He also reminds his players that they should always play until a whistle is blown.
Hansi Flick: “If I were on the other side of Ferran's goal, I also would not be happy, but I always tell my team till the referee don’t stop the match,we have to continue... The referee didn’t stop the match, so it was a clear goal. That they are not happy with that decision, I can also imagine [me not being happy].”