“If the image I saw isn’t AI… it’s a scandal” - De Jong after Barcelona decision
Flick’s side leave Madrid reeling after a bruising defeat, but questions over a seven-minute VAR review ignite fresh debate.
Atlético Madrid’s commanding victory over Barcelona will go down as one of the standout performances of Diego Simeone’s tenure, with his team giving Hansi Flick’s side no chance from the outset and delivering a punishing 4-0 defeat. Barcelona now return home carrying a heavy deficit and plenty to reflect on.
De Jong questions TV offside image
Despite the emphatic scoreline, the game was not without controversy. Early in the second half, in the 52nd minute, VAR ruled out a goal from Cubarsí. The review lasted more than seven minutes, and it was far from clear that the Barcelona defender had been offside. After the game, Spain’s refereeing technical committee confirmed that the semi-automated offside system malfunctioned at that moment.
Frenkie de Jong vented his frustration afterward in comments to SportyTv. “Then I saw an image where you can clearly see he’s not offside. The image they showed on TV didn’t show the exact moment when Fermín kicked the ball. There’s an image of Fermín shooting while the defender is a meter away from Lewandowski.”
“So, do you find it very strange? I can’t do anything about it, because… And I think if the image I saw isn’t AI… it’s a scandal because it’s very clear,” the Dutch midfielder added, making no attempt to hide his anger.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.