Following a contentious moment during Sunday night’s El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, questions surrounding the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga continue to mount.
Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal appeared to score a legitimate goal in the 28th minute when he directed a corner kick from Raphinha toward the net, only for Real Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin to block it inches away from crossing the line.
Although Barcelona players vehemently protested, the video assistant referee (VAR) ultimately ruled that the ball did not fully cross the line, leading to widespread confusion among spectators and analysts alike.
Barcelona fans feel the decision was partly to blame for their 3-2 defeat on the night at Santiago Bernabéu.
Barça’s disallowed clear Goal from the stands.
PUTA LA LIGA pic.twitter.com/yBzvxjvAZI
— forblaugrana (@forblaugrana) April 22, 2024
La Liga President Javier Tebas faced criticism regarding the league’s failure to adopt goal-line technology despite its implementation in several top European leagues, most notably the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
When questioned about the matter, Tebas refused to explain, instead pointing to errors made by similar technologies in Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, and England’s Premier League.
However, cost remains a primary concern hindering La Liga’s adoption of goal-line technology. According to reports, implementing the system in Spain’s premier division could exceed €2 million annually, while introducing it in the second tier would raise expenses above €4 million per year.
Additionally, retrofitting existing stadiums with the necessary infrastructure poses another substantial financial hurdle. Currently, only a handful of venues possess the required capabilities to support the technology.
While La Liga debates the merits of investing in goal-line technology, critics argue that the organization must prioritize accuracy and transparency in officiating decisions, especially during marquee events like El Clásico.
La Liga say that investing in goal-line technology is not worth it, as it is rarely needed.
— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/W2KbACv8ia
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 22, 2024
For now, however, the issue remains unresolved, fueling ongoing debate and frustration within the global soccer community.