The director of the VAR Project at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Carlos Clos Gómez, emphasized that Spanish football boasts “cutting-edge technology” with its semi-automated offside system, which he backed following the decision to disallow Robert Lewandowski’s goal in the Real Sociedad vs. FC Barcelona match. Clos Gómez lamented that even with accurate technology, claims of “conspiracies and robberies” persist, similar to the days when referees made decisions based on millimeters without any assistance.
“We have cutting-edge technology in Spanish football. In La Liga, we utilize a semi-automated offside system, which involves an additional 10 cameras that track players at 29 points, including the tip of each player’s foot,” Clos Gómez recalled before attending the Marca Awards Gala.
The former referee from Aragon insisted that “the technology is functioning perfectly this time.” “The referee indicated that a mistake had been made, and the goal was canceled. This is nothing new compared to other La Liga matches, be it this matchday or another,” he asserted.
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He also acknowledged that “it is evident” that more controversy arises due to the involvement of FC Barcelona. “You (the journalists) do not treat teams from La Liga and Segunda División equally, be it from one city or another, but evidently, such situations have occurred, will occur, and will continue to occur in the future. And that’s why we have this cutting-edge technology in this competition,” he added on the matter.
Furthermore, the VAR Project director reminded that “previously, referees were attacked” for making mistakes in such situations “by millimeters” and that people accused them of conspiracies and robberies in matches. “And now, with accurate decisions, they still say the same—it is complicated to get it right this way,” he emphasized.
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When asked if he understood FC Barcelona’s complaints, he underscored the reliability of the technology. “The semi-automated offside system has 10 additional cameras on top of what the production already has. From these additional cameras, we triangulate each player’s position, confirming that the FC Barcelona player’s position was indeed offside. We need not say anything beyond what the technology has already confirmed,” he reiterated.
Clos Gómez also pointed out that they are “used to the controversy that arises in every La Liga and Segunda División match.” “In Spain, in football, absolutely everything is questioned. I believe a significant amount has been invested in this important technology, and we must believe in it. If we don’t, there is little we can do from our end,” he concluded.
