The refereeing duo for the Real Sociedad-FC Barcelona match sparked controversy very early at Anoeta, during matchday 20 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The Catalan team opened the scoring against the San Sebastián side in the 7th minute thanks to a spectacular goal from Fermín López, but the goal was disallowed due to a prior foul spotted by VAR.
In principle, Jesús Gil Manzano validated the goal, but Carlos del Cerro Grande, from VAR, convinced the referee from Extremadura to review the play. Dani Olmo anticipated Takefusa Kubo and the ball fell to Fermín. With time and space, the player from Huelva shot across goal with his right foot, leaving Álex Remiro with no chance.
However, all the Real players rushed at Gil Manzano, demanding a review of the play. **After going to the monitor, the main referee decided to disallow the goal**, which would have been the ninth goal of the season for the Barça midfielder. The contact of Dani's right foot with Kubo's right boot was very slight, but enough to call the foul.
Sixteenth goal disallowed by VAR for FC Barcelona
Since the implementation of VAR, Barcelona has had 16 goals disallowed, including the one this Sunday. Real Madrid, with 39 goals disallowed by calls from the VOR room, leads the list, followed by Atlético de Madrid (21) and Villarreal (20).
Last season, Del Cerro Grande, from the VAR booth, also played a starring role by disallowing a Robert Lewandowski goal at Anoeta against Real Sociedad. On that occasion, an error in the semi-automatic VAR image indicated a non-existent offside for the Polish striker. The Catalans ended up losing that match (1-0) to a goal from Sheraldo Becker.