Controversial Offside Decision Overshadows Late Equalizer in RCDE Stadium

omidbasir- Claudio Giráldez addressed the recent controversy surrounding the disallowed goal of Borja Iglesias in the 82nd minute, which would have given Celta a 2-1 lead. The goal was nullified after a review by referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández, who later explained the decision to the captains and to Iglesias himself, noting that there may have been grounds for a penalty prior to the incident.

The VAR footage clearly indicated that Borja Iglesias, who was on the ground following a challenge with Cabrera in the penalty area, was in an offside position when he scored. Although it appeared that El Hilali of Espanyol had touched the ball, which could have validated Borja’s position, the referee determined that the touch was unintentional.

Giráldez shared the explanation he received from the referee: “He informed me that the touch by the Espanyol player was not intentional, which rendered Borja offside. We did not receive any explanation prior to the end of the match.”

Ultimately, since the touch by El Hilali was deemed unintentional, Borja’s goal was disallowed due to his offside position at the time Pablo Durán had possession of the ball.

Pérez Burrull, a former international referee and current expert for Radio MARCA, criticized the decision as incorrect, arguing that the goal should have stood. “It is a flawed interpretation of the offside rule; the defender deliberately played the ball along the ground, thus enabling Borja Iglesias to be onside.”