VAR Audio Reveals Handball: Calera Player Avoids Charges Against Colo Colo
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The match between Colo Colo and Uniรณn La Calera was anything but dull, culminating in a 1-0 victory for Colo Colo. However, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story. A contentious handball incident became the focal point of post-match discussions.

The controversial moment occurred in the 61st minute when a cross from Ignacio Messiah appeared to strike Alan Saldivia’s hand. The referee, Benjamรญn Saravia, initially allowed play to continue, opting not to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) promptly.

Did You Know?

VAR was first implemented in professional soccer in 2016 and has since become a standard feature in major leagues worldwide, aiming to reduce officiating errors.

Though, VAR officials reviewed the play and provided an explanation for their decision to uphold the referee’s original call. The video assistance team later released an explanatory video, dissecting the critical moment.

“When the red player tries to take out a center, the white player performs defensive action correctly blocking the ball with his foot. After that block, the ball bounces on the floor and ascends vertically, impacting the hand of the white player who was correctly located behind his body, without expanding volume or performing additional movements.”

The VAR explanation emphasized that Saldivia’s initial action was a legitimate block with his foot. The subsequent contact with his hand was deemed incidental, as his hand was positioned naturally and did not expand his body’s volume.

Pro Tip

Understanding the Laws of the Game regarding handball requires careful consideration of the player’s body position, proximity to the ball, and whether the hand movement was deliberate.

Moreover, the VAR team supported the referee’s on-field assessment, stating:

“This action is observed correctly by the referee, which evaluates the play accurately and he interprets it as a non -sanctionable hand.”

The VAR official concluded by saying, It is a natural position that is bounced. This statement reinforced the decision not to award a penalty to La Calera, solidifying Colo Colo’s victory.

Reader Question

Do you think VAR has improved the fairness of soccer matches, or has it disrupted the flow of the game too much?

The decision, while controversial, was ultimately backed by video evidence and the interpretation of the Laws of the game. The narrow victory keeps Colo Colo in contention, while La Calera is left to rue what might have been.