Celta Vigo-Barcelona (2-2): victim of a refereeing error, Iago Aspas leaves the field

The fault was obvious, as was the cardboard. But not in the eyes of César Soto Grado, the referee of this La Liga meeting between Celta Vigo and Barça. As we enter added time of the first period and Barça leads one to zero, Gerard Martin is late and illegally mows down Iago Aspas, while we are in Vigo’s half.

The fault is very real and just as unnecessary. And the young Barcelona defender, already warned for a foul on Marcos Alonso at the very start of the match, must logically receive a second yellow and leave the field. But the referee doesn’t flinch.

Aspas does not play at the end of the half

Enough to drive Iago Aspas mad with rage, incredulous at this situation. Red with anger, the Celta captain attacked the referee and even left the field. Along the touchline, he ironically received a yellow card for his reaction.

Then the game resumes, Vigo plays without his captain, who now vents his anger on his coach and the fourth referee. After a few seconds, half-time is whistled and Aspas returns to see Martin to tell him of the scandal that is being played out.

Barça finishes well at 10… and concedes two goals

But the game having resumed since the fault, it is not possible for the referee to go back. Upon returning from the locker room, Gerard Martin did not return to the Vigo pitch, replaced by Hector Fort. Barça finished the match well with ten men, but much later, Marc Casado having received a red card in the 82nd.