The first semi-final of the Super Cup lasted 21 minutes, which was how long it took Ferran to open the scoring. The initial equality completely disappeared after the first goal and a great FC Barcelona overwhelmed an unknown and lacking Athletic Club. The final stretch of the first half was an avalanche with four goals in 16 minutes. Raphinha was the leader of a choral and connected team that completed the little hand as soon as they returned from the break.
The Blaugrana dominance was incontestable and it seems difficult to talk about controversy in a game like this, but there was a very striking action in the Unai Simón area when the score was still tied at zero. Arbitration actions are usually related to the interpretation of the normwhich sometimes does not have a clear dogma, but in this play there is no room for doubt: Isidro Díaz de Mera completely forgot the rule.
An unexplained forgetfulness
It all happened in the 15th minute after a dangerous chance from Barça that ended with a stop by Unai Simón, who caught the ball at minute 15:02. The second may seem secondary, but it is the key to this play. It took the goalkeeper just a couple of seconds to get up, but much longer to serve.. The Basque goalkeeper looked for the quick throw-in, but when he couldn’t find it, he feinted again and again until he ended up releasing the ball 20 seconds later, at minute 15:22.
At first no one noticed because the Blaugrana players were retreating and the Athletic players were leaving, but In the end even Ferran raised his arms asking for a very clear rule to be applied, but that the referee completely forgot to apply. in the Super Cup semi-final.
What does the norm say? This is what the referee should have done.
Previously, it took too long to put the ball into play and the six-second rule was not strict and was never followed. To avoid loss of time, andThis July a change came into force that forces the goalkeeper to serve in eight seconds. Since its implementation, it has been strictly followed, but in this case Isidro Díaz de Mera forgot to apply a rule that clearly says the following: “The referee will strictly enforce the eight-second restriction and will visually indicate with his raised hand the countdown of the last five seconds.”
The broadcast shows how at no time was the hand raised to begin the countdown and point out the violation if it expires. The referee calmly went from the front to the center of the field without making any gesture. The standard explains that a corner kick must be awarded to the opposing teambut in this case and after 20 seconds, Unai Simón served calmly and the game continued as if nothing had happened.
Controversy at 1-0
The match also left a controversial action just before Barcelona opened the scoring. Berenguer went to the ground and Isidro Díaz de Mera signaled a foul when it was clear that he took the ball cleanly to Raphinha. The red and white players remained protesting while Barça put the ball into play and He put together a transition that ended with Ferran’s goal after Fermín’s failed shot.
After the goal, the Athletic players surrounded the referee. Iñaki Williams spoke on several occasions with Isidro Díaz de Mera who has already expelled three members of the Basque team so far this season in the Leaguetwo against Betis and one against Getafe. The most striking thing is that none of the three, which were Valverde, Padilla and Lekue, were on the field of play at the time of the red card.
