Referees

Prosecutors sue Barcelona for allegedly buying refereeing favors

BARCELONA — Spanish prosecutors have filed a complaint against Barcelona and two of the LaLiga club's ex-presidents over alleged payments to a company owned by a senior refereeing official to influence match results, the public prosecutor's office said on Friday.

A judge has yet to decide whether to take up the case.

The club allegedly paid over $7.8 million between 2001 and 2018 to firms owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, who was vice-president of the refereeing committee of the Spanish football association in 1993-2018.

Referee gives penalty for two attacking players colliding in what might be the worst call ever

A referee's decision in Brazil is a candidate for the worst call in the history of soccer after he awarded a penalty when two attacking players collided in the box.

The incident took place during a Copa do Brasil match between Tombense and Retro on Wednesday. 

In the 80th minute two Tombense players went for the ball in Retro’s box at the same time. One of the players accidentally stamped on his teammate’s foot. That teammate then threw himself on the ground screaming in agony.

No penalty call, no review despite clear Barcelona foul in 1-0 win over Valencia

Despite playing down a man for over 30 minutes after Ronald Araújo's red card, Barcelona escaped with a 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Camp Nou on Sunday to keep second-place Real Madrid at a comfortable distance.  

Valencia, mired in 19th and desperate for every point, were left fuming at referee Javier Alberola Rojas for his decision to look the other way when Franck Kessié clearly fouled Fran Pérez in the area in the 85th minute.

Remember World Cup stoppage time? It'll be the norm next club season

On Saturday in London, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) gathers for its 137th annual general meeting regarding the Laws of the Game.

Puzzling scenes as VAR overrules goal line technology to disallow Fiorentina goal

A bizarre Fiorentina disallowed goal vs. Braga confused just about everyone on Thursday when a VAR decision overruled goal line technology.

The introduction of technology to soccer has come with its problems, but most fans can agree the sport is in a better place now. Long past are the days of “no era penal” and Frank Lampard’s ghost goal vs. Germany. Goal line technology and VAR has seen to it that mistakes like those are incredibly rare nowadays.

La marca goleadora de Henry, el no gol de Tigres y el ChiVAR – Lo que dejó la J7 del Clausura 2023

La Liga MX le regaló a sus aficionados una fecha a media semana y la acción no decepcionó.

Monterrey sigue en la punta, calladito, luego de lograr su sexto triunfo consecutivo. A nivel individual no hay dudas que los reflectores se centran en Henry Martin, quien no se cansa de hacer goles ni de hacer historia en el América.

Por supuesto, hay espacio también para los momentos virales que dejó la J7.

De no creer: Luis Quiñones impide victoria de Tigres por querer robarle un gol a Gignac

Tigres no pudo contra FC Juárez en El Volcán y debió conformarse con un amargo 0-0 en la J7 del Clausura 2023. La historia pudo ser diferente para los felinos, pero una inoportuna acción de Luis Quiñones arruinó un gol seguro de André-Pierre Gignac y terminó por quitarle la victoria al cuadro regio.

Luis Quiñones arruina gol de Gignac

La jugada en cuestión se produjo en el minuto 68, cuando Gignac conectó un centro de Fernando Gorriarán al segundo palo. El francés cabeceó el balón y le dio una parábola perfecta para superar a Alfredo Talavera.

Rangers intentionally allow opponents to score after unsporting goal from USMNT's Malik Tillman

Holders Rangers moved into the quarterfinals of the Scottish Cup with a controversial 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle on Sunday in which they had to "gift" their opponents a goal.

Thistle's players were left apoplectic at Ibrox when Rangers player Malik Tillman put his side 2-1 ahead in dubious circumstances deemed unsportsmanlike.

Ref explains VAR decision to crowd while getting blasted with green laser pointers

Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo suffered a surprising 3-2 Club World Cup semifinal defeat to Asian representatives Al-Hilal on Tuesday, meaning that South American sides have advanced to the final in only three of the last seven tournaments. 

Flamengo manager Vítor Pereira and veteran defender David Luiz promised they wouldn't fall into the traditional Conmebol trap of overlooking their semifinal opponents while dreaming of Real Madrid, but before the halftime whistle had even sounded the Brazilian club had conceded two stupid penalties and been issued a red card.

VAR magic – Ángel Correa becomes the first player in history to celebrate a goal after being subbed off

VAR just gave us one of the most wholesome and unusual moments of the season so far. Yes, VAR has done something good.

Correa's disallowed goal gets overturned after being substituted

In Saturday’s LaLiga match between Atlético Madrid and Getafe, Ángel Correa became the first player to celebrate a goal after being substituted. How so?

In the 60th minute, Correa scored a beautiful volley to put the Colchoneros ahead 1-0 only for the goal to be disallowed almost immediately for an offside position.

Pages