Former referee Mateu Lahoz has raised concerns over an incident involving Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia during the team’s recent victory against Espanyol on January 3, 2026. Lahoz believes Garcia should have been penalised for pushing his teammate Gerard Martin to block a shot from Pere Milla. This moment led to a debate about adherence to the rules of the game.
Garcia’s performance at the RCDE Stadium was impressive, earning him the MVP award. He played a crucial role in keeping Espanyol at bay with a series of remarkable saves. However, his controversial action in the first half caught the attention of Lahoz, who argues that pushing a teammate in such a manner constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct.
Analysis of the Incident
Speaking on the sports network Movistar, Lahoz elaborated on the principles governing player conduct. He stated, “This is stipulated by FIFA as unsportsmanlike conduct. He wants to get away to block, but he can’t do this.” Lahoz emphasized that pushing a teammate could potentially lead to injury, which violates the sport’s regulations.
He noted that while VAR technology is typically employed to review significant match incidents, it would not have been useful in this situation. “Although VAR can’t help you, it’s not in the scenario where it can help because it would be an indirect free kick and, in this case, a yellow card,” Lahoz explained. He suggested that the match referee, García Verdura, likely interpreted the incident as an accidental collision rather than a foul.
Footage released by the RFEF captures Verdura’s remarks regarding the incident. He is heard telling his assistants, “there is nothing, there is nothing, it is him that pushes him, there is nothing.” Verdura, questioning Martin, added, “Gerard, how are we? Your goalkeeper pushes you. If your goalkeeper pushes you, it’s the other player’s fault.”
The debate surrounding this incident highlights the ongoing discussions about the interpretation of rules in football. As technology continues to evolve in sports, the effectiveness of VAR remains a focal point of scrutiny among players, coaches, and officials alike. Lahoz’s comments serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in officiating and the importance of adhering to the rules to ensure fair play.
As the football community continues to reflect on these events, the implications of such incidents are likely to resonate in future matches, influencing how players and referees approach similar situations.