In a recent episode of the show “Tiempo de Revisión,” the Spanish Referees’ Technical Committee (CTA) has clarified that the decision not to award a penalty in the Clásico for Eric Garcia’s challenge on Jude Bellingham was correct.
According to the CTA, “These types of contact in matches must be assessed based on intensity, intent, and consequence. For the CTA, this was an action resulting from the defender’s natural movement, where his arm inadvertently made contact with the opponent’s face.”
They further explained, “We believe the on-field decision can stand. Therefore, we are dealing with a call that can legitimately be interpreted in multiple ways, and under VAR principles, it was not a clear and obvious error. Hence, not intervening complies with the regulations.”
