The essence of the Video Assistant Referee has been questioned after a controversial penalty decision went in favor of Barcelona in their Champions League clash with Lyon on Wednesday. The Catalans took the lead in the 18th-minute via Lionel Messi's Panenka spot-kick to dash the visitors' hopes of potentially upsetting the odds.
However, the tale could have been possibly different had the match official considered a review of the incident leading to the penalty. The argument that has since emerged suggests that Luis Suarez stepped on Jason Denayer's foot which was in the process of being withdrawn.
Breaking | RMC report that UEFA have "intimated" that they had technical problems with VAR during the review of Barcelona's penalty vs. Lyon this evening...
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 13, 2019
Despite being the culprit, the Uruguayan apparently took a dive to coerce the referee into ruling in his favor without resorting to the VAR. Watch the incident below (geo-restriction may apply):
Should this have gone to VAR?
— DAZN CA (@DAZN_CA) March 13, 2019
Denayer was penalized for bringing down Suarez, but it looks as if the Barca man stepped on his opponent...https://t.co/h39FnLvWZz | #BarçaOL pic.twitter.com/grbeogNsxZ
In retrospect, the last-ditch review by Serbian referee Damir Skomina gifted Manchester United a late penalty in their historic remontada against Paris Saint-Germain last week.
The Red Devils were also handed a controversial spot-kick after Presnell Kimpembe had Diogo Dalot's stray shot hitting his arm, stimulating another debate about the VAR's inconsistency.
Commentator: "What the use of having VAR when you still can't make a correct decisions? Suarez STAMPED on the Lyon defender, not the other way around & still gets a penalty. It should be 0-0 right now."
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) March 13, 2019
I'm a die hard Barca fan but that's not a penalty. It's a foul against Suarez
— Mawuena (@Bryte_Doe_) March 13, 2019
VAR doesn't stand a chance versus the spectacular disaster Luis Suarez
— Ahmad (@ahmadf_o) March 13, 2019
Suarez steps on the defender and barca gets a penalty
— alex_k (@ale_09_y) March 13, 2019
#Suarez one of the most prolific divers in football ever, disgusting! #BAROL why was the VAR not used there?! #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/D4rkbOaRI9
— MarcelvanderWilden (@BluntWisdumb) March 13, 2019
After 2nd & 3rd viewing, penalty decision against Jason Denayer & Lyon tonight was incorrect. Luis Suarez stands on the Belgian's leg, which was in the process of being withdrawn.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 13, 2019
SUAREZ IS THE BIGGEST FLOP. HE STEPPED ON THE GUYS FOOT AND GRABS HIS OWN ANKLE. #WhatAJoke
— HexSik_OG (@HexSik_OG) March 13, 2019
Why was VAR not consulted, it looked like Suarez stamped the Lyon defender then dived for a penalty. Double standards. #BarcaOL #BarçaOL
— Oasking (@oasking) March 13, 2019
Denayer was silly for diving in like that but that was really not a pen because he pulled back on the tackle halfway and Suárez stepped on him and went over. The least they could have done was to use VAR to be sure.
— Cerè Reclusé (@Cerebrone) March 13, 2019
