“It’s a clear penalty, the VAR is not necessary for that”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made no effort to hide his frustration with La Liga refereeing this week, backing his president’s comments about a penalty the Blaugrana did not receive against Getafe. A late corner saw Jules Kounde go down in the area under pressure from Chrisantus Uche, but neither the referee saw enough to award a penalty, nor did the VAR consider it enough to call him in for a decision.

The decision made headlines after the game, but on Monday morning president Joan Laporta said it wasn’t talked about enough. Laporta described the decision as a scandal. Naturally, Flick was asked about it during his pre-match press conference as Barcelona prepare to face Benfica in the Champions League at the Estadio da Luz.

Until now, Flick has been careful not to comment too much on refereeing decisions, but that intention is slowly losing steam.

“Was it or wasn’t it? (laughs). I don’t know what to say. It’s the same in all games. It’s incredible. For me it is incredible. VAR is not necessary, it is a clear penalty. What should I say?