Incident date: 2026-02-16 (CTA review reported in the last 48 hours)
In the 86th minute of a 1–1 game, Claudio Echeverri challenged for a loose ball with Jules Koundé. Replays show Echeverri’s studs coming down on Koundé’s foot/ankle area just before Girona recycled possession and created the attack that ended with Fran Beltrán’s winner for 2–1.
Girona vs Barcelona (La Liga) — stamp before the winner
The VAR Failure
Despite the contact happening in the build-up to the goal, VAR did not recommend an on-field review. In a rare moment of transparency, Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA) reportedly acknowledged afterward that VAR should have intervened, describing it as a “clear and obvious” missed foul in the goal-scoring phase.
The “VAR Verdict”
Decision: Goal Stood.
Our Rating: ❌ Incorrect Decision.
Reasoning
Under the goal-scoring phase principles, a clear foul in the immediate build-up should lead to the goal being disallowed. The controversy here isn’t just the contact — it’s that the incident appears reviewable, yet the review never happened, which is exactly what the CTA feedback reportedly criticized.
Key Takeaways
Every verdict depends on context, available angles and the Laws of the Game. We clearly separate confirmed facts from interpretation.
Written by
Narek Smbatyan
Narek Smbatyan is the creator and lead analyst of The VAR Verdict. Driven by a passion for the technicalities of the sport, Narek provides a deep dive into the Laws of the Game to make sense of football’s most debated moments. By meticulously reviewing VAR protocols and officiating standards, The VAR Verdict serves as a bridge between the complex rulebook and the fans who live for the game.
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