Breaking news! RFEF leaks controversial VAR audio from Sevilla-Barça: 'There's a c...'

The performance of referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz and VAR was decisive in the final result of the Sevilla-Barça match. The match, played yesterday in the Andalusian capital, started at a high pace with chances for both teams. However, a penalty awarded in the 13th minute in favor of the home team completely changed the course of the game.

The play featured Ronald Araújo and Isaac Romero. Both contested a loose ball inside the box, in a play that seemed inconsequential. The contact between them, slight and accidental, ended with both on the ground and with the immediate intervention of VAR.

At first, Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz let play continue, considering there was no foul. However, seconds later he was alerted by VAR, led by Del Cerro Grande, to review the play. After going to the monitor and watching several replays, the referee changed his decision and awarded the penalty.

The decision by VAR and Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz was key

The penalty sparked controversy and angered Barça's bench. Many players did not understand the decision, since Isaac Romero himself barely appealed for a penalty. Alexis Sánchez took responsibility from the penalty spot and converted the 1-0, a psychological blow that affected the rest of the match.

From that moment on, Sevilla took advantage of Barça's confusion to dominate the match with authority. Matías Almeyda's team was more forceful, more aggressive, and more accurate in the final third. Meanwhile, Barça, emotionally overwhelmed, completely faded and ended up losing by a resounding 4 to 1.

RFEF tries to calm the waters and releases the VAR audio

Hours after the match, the Royal Spanish Football Federation published the conversation between Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz and VAR. This exercise in transparency, which has become common in recent months, has, far from calming tempers, fueled the controversy. At Barça, they believe the review doesn't provide clarity and even reinforces the sense of injustice.

In the audio, Del Cerro Grande begins communication with Muñiz Ruiz by saying: "I recommend a review for a potential penalty. I'll leave you with the impression that, in our opinion, the defender trips, makes a tackle, putting his leg between the striker's two legs." The description of the play is interpretative and leaves much room for subjectivity.

After receiving the instruction, Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz went to the monitor to watch the play repeated from several angles. At that moment, he can be clearly heard saying: "There's contact down there, let's go with penalty without card, he doesn't touch the ball". With those words, the referee accepted his colleague's recommendation and confirmed the sanction.

Maximum outrage at Barça

However, these explanations have not convinced Barça. At the club, they believe Ronald Araújo's action should not have been penalized, as it is part of a normal play. It is a natural stumble, something seen every weekend, according to those close to Barça.

In the locker room, the feeling is unanimous: the penalty marked the match and destabilized the team. Barça fans believe VAR intervened unnecessarily, correcting a correct decision by the on-field referee. The anger is total, and the leaked audio has only served to confirm what many think: that at Sánchez-Pizjuán, the contact was minimal and the decision, excessive.