The Spanish Football Federation on Monday fired the referee who was in control of the VAR in the match between Valencia e Real Madrid, in which Vinicius Jr. was expelled for assaulting an opposing player. The confrontation was marked by racist attacks on the Brazilian striker, who even paralyzed the game to report a fan who had offended him to the field judge.
The occasion that led to the dismissal of Nachos Iglesias Villanueva, the referee in charge of the VAR in the match, occurred in the second-half stoppage time. Vini Jr. fell out with the opposing goalkeeper and time closed. During the confusion, striker Hugo Duro, from Valencia, gave the Brazilian a rear naked choke, who, as he broke free, hit his hand in his face.
The Spanish Federation said it did not understand why the VAR commander did not show the full footage of the incident to the field referee, omitting the aggressions suffered by Vinicius Jr. Therefore, Iglesias Villanueva will command the VAR in the duel between Real Betis and Getafe, this Wednesday, and will not participate again in games of the Spanish Championship.
Before being fired, Vinicius Jr. suffered several racist attacks. For the Federation, however, the decision taken by the field referee was correct. The match was stopped and warnings were issued over the stadium’s sound system, which follows the protocol recommended by FIFA in cases like this.
In addition to Iglesias Villanueva, five other referees were dismissed, according to the Federation, for a reformulation and evolution in the use of VAR.
The president of Real Madrid has met with @ViniJr to show him his support and affection, to inform him of all the steps that are being taken in his defense and to confirm that the club will go to the last consequences in the face of such a repugnant situation of hate. pic.twitter.com/vu18Lf0nif
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) May 22, 2023
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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