Spanish football analysts believe FC Barcelona‘s Frenkie de Jong should have been sent off during the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1, 2025, for a hazardous tackle on Nuno Mendes. The incident, occurring in the 33rd minute, drew a yellow card from the on-field referee but has sparked debate over whether a red card was warranted.
The controversy centers on a forceful challenge from behind by de Jong on Mendes. While the referee deemed the contact accidental during a backward run, prominent Spanish officials disagree, suggesting Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention should have resulted in a dismissal. The potential impact of a red card could have significantly altered the course of the match and subsequent Champions League campaign for Barcelona.
Former Spanish referee Iturralde González stated, “De Jong risked big. If the VAR had called the referee, it would not have been surprising. It is an action that escapes the VAR, because the referee considered that it was an accidental kick during a backward race. These actions, if you put yourself on the ground, are sanctioned 100% by the VAR with a red card, because you no longer control your body or your strength on the action,” as reported by AS.
This assessment was echoed by Marca’s Pérez Burrull, who declared, “The action of the midfielder of FC Barcelona is sufficiently dangerous and without the possibility of playing the ball, to deserve a red card.” The differing opinions highlight the subjective nature of officiating and the increasing scrutiny placed on VAR decisions in high-stakes competitions like the champions League.
