VAR Analysis of Controversial Penalties in Vasco’s Victory Over Grêmio

The CBF Arbitration Commission released, this Sunday, the VAR’s analysis of three controversial moves in the team’s victory. Vasco over Grêmio 2-1, in São Januário, in the 1st round of the Brasileirão. Among the main players, the Gremistas complained about a penalty from Lucas Piton, while the Vasco fans asked for a penalty for a possible infraction by Rodrigo Ely.

Possible Lucas Piton penalty

The move claimed by the Gremistas occurred in the 42nd minute of the first half. After a cross from the left, Diego Costa tried to control the ball inside the penalty area, it escaped and hit Lucas Piton’s arm. After checking by the VAR, Flávio Rodrigues de Souza maintained the decision on the field.

In the analysis, the video assistant referees understand that Piton, upon realizing that the ball hits his arm, collects it, but considers it to be “a reaction movement” and “not a deliberate hand”. However, Daiane Muniz, the person responsible for VAR, recommends the review because “the arm is not in a natural position”.

When reviewing the play on the screen at the edge of the field, Flávio Rodrigues de Souza says that Piton was in a dispute. Therefore, he sees the move as natural and does not believe there was a blocking action. Because of this, he maintains his decision not to take the penalty.

Possible penalty from Rodrigo Ely

The move claimed by Vasco occurred 4 minutes into the second half and caused debate in the VAR booth. On that occasion, Galdames complained about the lack of defender Rodrigo Ely, from Grêmio, inside the area. When reviewing the play, Daiane Muniz, responsible for VAR in the game, initially considers that there was a penalty.

— The attacker gains space from the defender, the defender will kick the ball late and kick the attacker’s foot. The ball is under dispute, the defender kicks his foot. For me, it is a reckless action — says Daiane.

However, one of the VAR assistants, Fabricio Porfírio de Moura, takes a different position.

— Defender already starts the kicking process. He starts the process before the attacker reaches the ball. The ball is really up for grabs, but I understand it as casual contact.

After the assistant’s intervention, Daiane Muniz changes her mind and orders the game to continue, without recommending a review.

— So we analyze it the following way: the ball is not touched by either player, they are fighting for space. The defender has already started the shooting process and, in a fight for space, the attacker ends up being hit because he puts himself in front of the defender’s movement. No infringement, therefore.

Finally, the move that generated the least controversy was the review of a possible penalty suffered by Rossi, still in the first half. On that occasion, referee Flavio Rodrigues de Souza went to the VAR and, in addition to canceling the penalty, also gave the Vasco striker a yellow card for simulation.

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