17 February 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A dramatic late goal in a tense La Liga clash between Barcelona and Girona has sparked controversy, with Joan Garcia openly questioning the referee’s decision to allow the decisive strike to stand. The incident has reignited debates around officiating standards and the use of VAR in Spanish football.
Girona secured a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in what was one of the most closely contested matches of the season. However, the manner in which the goal was scored quickly became the main talking point. Joan Garcia, who was directly involved in the build-up, claimed that a clear foul had occurred moments before the ball found the back of the net.
Speaking after the match, Garcia did not hide his frustration. “It was a foul. I don’t understand how it was allowed to stand,” he said, visibly baffled by the decision. “There was contact, I was impeded, and in any other situation that would be given as a foul.”
The controversial moment came in the final minutes, with the match finely balanced. As Girona pushed forward in search of a winner, a challenge inside the box led to a scramble, eventually resulting in the decisive goal. Barcelona players immediately surrounded the referee, protesting that a foul had occurred in the build-up. Despite their appeals, the referee pointed to the centre circle, confirming the goal.
VAR reviewed the incident, but after a brief check, the on-field decision was upheld. That decision only added to Barcelona’s frustration, as players and coaching staff struggled to understand how the officials saw no infringement.
Barcelona head coach, while careful with his words, hinted at dissatisfaction with the refereeing. “I respect the officials, but there are moments that are difficult to explain,” he said. “When VAR exists, you expect clarity. Today, we didn’t get it.”
From Girona’s perspective, the goal was a reward for persistence and belief. Players celebrated wildly at full-time, knowing the result was a major boost in their push up the league table. Girona’s coach defended the decision, stating that football is a contact sport and that the referee had judged the challenge to be fair.
“There was no clear foul,” the Girona coach said. “The referee and VAR both saw it and made their decision. We have to accept it.”
Pundits and former referees were divided in their assessments. Some argued that the contact on Garcia was minimal and not enough to overturn the goal. Others felt the incident highlighted inconsistency in how fouls are judged, especially in high-pressure situations late in games.
“This is where frustration comes from,” said a former La Liga referee on a television panel. “Fans and players want consistency. Similar challenges are sometimes given as fouls and sometimes not.”
For Barcelona, the defeat was a significant blow. Dropped points at this stage of the season could have major implications in the title race. Players looked dejected at the final whistle, knowing that a single decision may have altered the outcome of the match.
Joan Garcia’s comments resonated widely on social media, with clips of the incident shared thousands of times. Fans debated whether VAR should have intervened more decisively or whether the referee’s call was within the laws of the game.
The Spanish Referees Committee has not yet issued an official statement, but such incidents often lead to internal reviews. In recent seasons, La Liga officials have come under increasing scrutiny, with clubs demanding greater transparency around VAR decisions.
This latest controversy adds to a growing list of disputed calls involving top clubs, raising questions about whether the current system is delivering the clarity it was designed to provide. While VAR has reduced some errors, moments like this continue to divide opinion.
As the dust settles, Barcelona will look to move on quickly, focusing on their upcoming fixtures. Girona, meanwhile, will savour a famous victory, even if it came amid controversy.
For Joan Garcia, however, the frustration remains. “You work all week, all season, and then a moment like this happens,” he said. “It’s hard to accept when you feel something so clear is ignored.”
With the title race heating up, decisions like these are likely to be scrutinised even more closely. Whether this incident leads to changes or explanations from La Liga remains to be seen, but for now, the debate shows no sign of fading.
Summary
Joan Garcia criticised refereeing after Girona’s late winner against Barcelona was allowed to stand, insisting a foul was ignored and sparking fresh debate over VAR and officiating standards in La Liga.