Sevilla File LaLiga Complaint Over VAR Against Real Madrid
Sevilla have filed a formal complaint with LaLiga over the television coverage of their match against Real Madrid. The club are demanding the original footage and questioning how several controversial incidents were handled.
The 4-1 defeat against Real Madrid did not end with the final whistle. Sevilla remain furious about what happened at the Santiago Bernabéu and have decided to take their complaints directly to LaLiga.
But this time, their protest goes beyond the referee's decisions.
The Andalusian club have submitted a formal complaint over how several controversial incidents were shown during the October 18 match. The document, signed by club president José María del Nido Carrasco, questions why certain incidents were not shown from enough angles to allow for proper analysis.
The club's concerns are even greater because those same images can be crucial for VAR reviews.
For Sevilla, the issue is not simply whether a particular incident deserved a penalty or a red card, but why some plays received multiple camera angles while others were barely visible.
The Arda Güler Elbow Incident That Sparked the Controversy
One of the incidents that caused the greatest outrage was a possible elbow by Arda Güler on Peque during the first half.
Sevilla players demanded that the Turkish midfielder be sent off, but VAR officials did not find sufficiently conclusive footage to recommend an on-field review.
According to Sevilla's complaint, the problem was that the incident was only shown from distant camera angles, without using zoom tools that might have provided a clearer view of the contact.
The situation caused even more frustration because Güler remained on the pitch and later opened the scoring for Real Madrid.
However, that was not the only incident questioned.
The Andalusian side also appealed for a penalty following a challenge by Marc Cucurella on Peque, as well as a foul by Ibrahima Konaté on Robbie Ure in the buildup to Real Madrid's second goal.
By contrast, the penalty awarded in favor of Kylian Mbappé was shown through several replays from different angles.
That difference in television coverage is precisely what Sevilla consider unacceptable.
Sevilla Demand Original Footage and Could Pursue Legal Action
Sevilla's management are determined to get to the bottom of the situation and have made several demands that go far beyond a public explanation.
The club requested all original recordings of the four disputed incidents, information about camera placement at the Bernabéu, and the protocols used to determine which plays receive replays during a broadcast.
They also demanded that all audiovisual material be preserved in case legal action becomes necessary.
Another source of frustration was the absence of the disputed incidents from the official match highlights. For Sevilla, it is difficult to understand why such important moments were left out of the video released after the game.
The club also questioned the explanations provided regarding television production criteria and demanded guarantees that every team receives equal treatment, regardless of the stadium or opponent.
Meanwhile, José María del Nido Carrasco held a meeting with representatives of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) to review the decisions that shaped the match.
Although discussions took place in a respectful atmosphere, both sides maintained significant differences over how the controversial incidents should be interpreted.
The refereeing body maintains that there was not enough clear footage to justify VAR intervention in the incident involving Güler.
Sevilla, however, believe that the lack of clear footage is precisely one of the issues that must be investigated.
The result cannot be changed, but the Andalusian club want to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
What began as a dispute over a possible elbow has now become a much bigger question for Spanish football: How can VAR function properly if the available footage does not allow officials to clarify a decisive incident?
Key Takeaways From Sevilla's Complaint Against LaLiga
- Sevilla filed a formal complaint over the television coverage of four controversial incidents against Real Madrid.
- The club are demanding the original footage, television production protocols, and the preservation of all material ahead of potential legal action.
- The meeting with the CTA ended without an agreement over the interpretation of the incidents, particularly the possible elbow by Arda Güler on Peque.
