Tense discussion between Piqué and Hernández Hernández in the dressing room tunnel

“Are you really telling me that you have checked De Jong's penalty? Has the VAR really looked at it?” In this way, Gerard Piqué began his recriminations against the referee, Alejandro José Hernández Hernández, in the locker room tunnel, during the break of Saturday's game against Alavés in Mendizorroza, according to the recordings that Movistar Plus had access to. The Catalan center-back was referring to Ximo Navarro's clear penalty against the Dutch player in the 36th minute, when he was about to head off with a clear advantage in the area. Navarro made the shot difficult after giving the midfielder a strong push. However, neither the referee, nor subsequently the VAR, acted accordingly.

“How do you want him not to be stressed with plays like this?” The Blaugrana captain continued in his accusations. At the player's insistence, the referee pointed out that he was not willing to “put on any show”, instando the player to jump onto the pitch. To which Piqué responded angrily: “It is not about setting up shows, but we are always on the subject of interpretations, it is always the same.”

It must be remembered that it is not the first time that Barcelona feels mistreated by VAR this season. Without going any further, Ronald Koeman himself publicly denounced that he did not understand how this instrument worked in Spain because actions were always whistled against and never in favor. Some statements that the Competition Committee is studying in case they deserve a sanction.