Controversy Lingers Over Vitor Roque’s Red Card: Barcelona Challenges Referee’s Decision

The controversy surrounding Vitor Roque’s expulsion in Barcelona’s recent league clash against Alavés continues to escalate. The Brazilian forward, who netted his second goal in the blue and garnet jersey at Mendizorroza, faces suspension in the upcoming match against Granada unless the Competition Committee decides to overturn the second yellow card given by referee Martínez Munuera.

Barcelona contends that the referee’s decision was a serious error and another unfavorable ruling in a year marked by contentious calls. The incident involves Vitor Roque and Rafa Marín in a contested ball, with the young forward jumping to avoid a strong tackle. Unfortunately, he brushed against Marín, receiving his second yellow card. As it was a double yellow, VAR did not intervene, and Barcelona argues in their appeal that it shouldn’t be considered a foul but rather a regular game situation.

In the ‘Super8′ program on DAZN, which analyzes plays a day after the match, new footage of the incident has emerged. Following the clash, Alavés players confronted a visibly injured Vitor Roque. Despite the local players’ reproaches, Cubarsí supported the Brazilian, insisting that Munuera “will review it.”

Meanwhile, the veteran players swarmed to protest Munuera’s decision, who justified the call by claiming that Roque had “stepped with his studs.” Araujo, as the captain, was among the most vocal until Lewandowski, in a veteran and shadow captain gesture, pulled the Uruguayan away, shouting, “You, out, you have 4,” referring to Araujo’s four yellow cards, putting him at risk of suspension.

On the sidelines, Xavi initiated a verbal battle with the fourth official. The Barcelona coach argued that Marín’s action should be considered dangerous play for coming in with a studs-up challenge. “That’s your job; it’s a foul that way,” Xavi reproached, realizing that the touchline referee wouldn’t intervene to change Munuera’s decision.