Montilivi, 16 February 2026: Girona's decisive goal by Fran Beltrán in the 86th minute was allowed despite a clear running foul — a step on Jules Koundé by Claudio Echeverri. On-field referee César Soto Grado let play continue and did not call for a VAR review; from the VOR room VAR chief David Gálvez Rascón remained silent.
The incident provoked protests from the Barça dressing room because it closely mirrors an episode in Vallecas on 27 August 2024: then Rober Lewandowski's 74th-minute goal was disallowed after VAR intervened. Andalusian VAR official Jorge Figueroa Vázquez asked for a review and, in audio released by the RFEF, can be heard saying, “He steps on the tip of the foot.” After the replay the referee ruled the goal out.
The article also cites other recent cases that fuel the club's discontent: at Anoeta a Fermín goal was ruled out for slight contact by Dani Olmo with Take Kubo during the preceding ball recovery, and at the Sánchez Pizjuán Koundé suffered a foul that led to the second goal in a 4-1 defeat. These episodes, many involving the same referee, create a perception of inconsistent criteria.
Barça's unease is deep: players and staff expressed indignation after Montilivi, and the club had already issued a statement days earlier about certain refereeing decisions, including the annulled Cubarsí goal at the Metropolitano in the Copa semi first leg. The Montilivi episode has only increased the anger.
