Unbelievable: Rayo-Barça, without VAR due to a technical problem of Mediapro

The deplorable state of the pitch and facilities of Vallecas during the Rayo Vallecano-FC Barcelona (1-1) had as a special ingredient the absence of VAR during a good part of the match. From minute 8, the main referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer informed the captains of both teams that there was no image available on the monitor at pitch level.

The failures persisted during the following minutes. The main referee had communication with the VOR room, but there was no service to review the plays on the field. Therefore, Pep Chavarría's penalty on Lamine Yamal in the 38th minute was not reviewed.

Finally, the match had to finish being played without VAR available. After the match, Mediapro issued a statement assuming responsibility as the person in charge of the broadcast. However, the failure that caused the problem is still not clear. 

Rayo's or Mediapro's fault? This is why there was no VAR in the Rayo-Barça

After the end of the match, Mediapro issued a statement explaining what happened. In addition, the company assured that it would clarify the causes of this failure as soon as possible to avoid similar future incidents.

A technical problem related to the electrical system, the causes of which could not be determined, has prevented the correct functioning of the VAR service during the first part of the Rayo Vallecano-Fútbol Club Barcelona. Despite the efforts made by the entire technical team of the operation, it has not been possible to correctly develop the service, which has been restored normally in the second part. Grup Mediapro is working to clarify the causes of the incident

One of the causes of the problem in the connection between the VOR room, the monitor at pitch level and the main referee may well have been related to the multiple technical and operational problems in Vallecas. The WiFi in the stadium usually fails a lot, in addition to not providing optimal mobile coverage. This, added to the poor condition of press boxes and other areas of the Madrid fiefdom.

Not surprisingly, Rayo's own coach, Iñigo Pérez, left open the possibility that his team was responsible for the technical failure. "I am annoyed by the lack of efficiency with these costs. It may be a failure of our club, I would not be surprised if that were the case", he commented after the match.

Frenkie de Jong's reaction after what happened with the VAR

In this regard, Frenkie de Jong explained how the players found out about the technical failure that prevented them from having the VAR in Vallecas. "The referee was warning us. There was no VAR, then only offsides, then yes, then no... With the high line, the absence of the VAR does affect", the Dutchman began by saying. 

Despite the absence of technology, Barça left their rivals offside seven times. In that sense, the '21' azulgrana left a harsh 'stick' for LaLiga. "It's a bummer if the VAR doesn't work. This is not something serious in a top-level league, it seems a bit strange", he sentenced in his talk with 'DAZN'.

Similarly, De Jong resorted to self-criticism after the draw, although he acknowledged that the ball was not rolling well due to problems with the pitch. "We have not played our best game, we have had many losses, many more than normal and that is why it has been a chaotic game", added the Arkel native.

Flick 'passes' on the VAR controversy: "it's not my job"

For his part, Hansi Flick was also consulted about the controversy with the VAR in the post-match press conference. The German coach avoided a criticism as harsh as Frenkie's, but he did make clear his position regarding an aspect that, logically, could have harmed both teams.

"It is what it is. There are no excuses. The VAR must work. I don't know what happened. There was no VAR for anyone. It's not my job", the FC Barcelona coach pointed out. Just as Rayo complained about Pep Chavarría's penalty on Lamine Yamal in the first half, another foul by the full-back on the '10' azulgrana could well have been sanctioned at the end.

In the 82nd minute, Chavarría put his body on Lamine when he was trying to reach the end line. The winger fell and the ball went out of the field, but the main referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer considered the cut as clean.