VAR audio of penalty awarded against Ronald Araujo in Barcelona defeat released

Barcelona lost 4-1 to Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga with the opening goal coming from the penalty spot after Ronald Araujo was penalised for a challenge on Isaac Romero in the penalty area.

The defender was furious at the decision, which was initially not given by the match referee, but subsequently awarded after a VAR check.

The audio of the exchange between the match officials has now been revealed and makes for interesting reading.

VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande says: “The defender, in our opinion, stumbles, trips, putting his leg between the attacker’s two.”

Match referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz replies: “Give me a longer time, I want to see Araujo’s action. There is no SPA option, there is no DOGS option. There is contact down there.”

The referee continues to watch the action and says: “Let’s go with a penalty, OK? Penalty without a card. He doesn’t touch the ball. Let me see that he doesn’t touch it, that he doesn’t kick it…”

VAR clarifies, “He never touches the ball, he never plays the ball” and Muniz Ruiz signs off with, “His leg is in front, perfect. Let’s go with a penalty.”