FC Barcelona is experiencing the match against Sevilla with deep discomfort due to the refereeing performance of Muñiz Ruiz. The referee allowed the play that led to the second home goal, despite an obvious foul at the start of the action on Jules Koundé. The defender fell after contact with Suazo, but the referee allowed the game to continue, and the counterattack ended with a goal by Isaac Romero.
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The play occurred in the center of the field when the Sevilla full-back crashed into the French center-back as he was trying to control the ball. The subsequent steal allowed the Andalusian team to launch a quick counterattack that ended with the 2-0. The action generated a wave of protests among the Barça players and a monumental anger on Hansi Flick's bench.
Protests and Card for De Jong
The first to react was Frenkie de Jong, who was near the play and did not hesitate to reproach the referee for not calling the foul. The Dutchman insisted that the contact was clear, but his protest cost him a yellow card. Other teammates, such as Koundé and Ronald Araujo, also approached the referee to ask for explanations, while complaints multiplied from the bench.
As Muñiz Ruiz himself explained to the players, the VAR reviewed the play but did not consider that there was sufficient infraction to invalidate the goal. "From the VAR they have not seen anything punishable," was the response that further enraged the Barça players, recalling that minutes before they had intervened in an action favorable to Sevilla inside the opposite area pointing out a nonexistent penalty.
### A play that reopens the refereeing debate The episode brought the debate about the use of VAR and the intervention criteria back to the table. While in some actions of slight contact the game is stopped for review, on this occasion it was decided to maintain the field decision. The disparity of criteria irritated a team that feels harmed in several key matches of the season.
On social media, numerous fans shared images and replays showing Suazo's contact with Koundé at the start of the play that led to the goal. Culés fans described the action as "incomprehensible" and "decisive." In contrast, those around Sevilla defended that the play was "part of the game" and that the referee was right to let it continue.
With this new controversy, FC Barcelona adds another match marked by frustration and a sense of injustice. Meanwhile, the debate about refereeing and VAR is more alive than ever in LaLiga. *Consult more news about Barça, results, and standings on FC Barcelona Noticias.*