FIFA Opens Investigation into VAR Catastrophe During Dortmund vs Barcelona – Referee Ricci in Hot Water
A fresh storm has erupted in world football after FIFA confirmed a major VAR failure during the Champions League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, placing Italian referee Maurizio Ricci and his VAR team under intense scrutiny.
The breaking point came in the 63rd minute, when Emre Can launched a reckless, studs-up challenge on Barcelona’s midfield star Pedri. The challenge left Pedri in visible agony, sparking fury among Barcelona players and fans alike. However, Ricci chose to issue only a yellow card, a decision the VAR team shockingly upheld after a swift review.
Now, FIFA has publicly acknowledged that this was a “serious and surprising error,” confirming the tackle “clearly met the criteria for serious foul play” and should have resulted in a straight red card. In a rare move, the governing body admitted that VAR protocols were not followed properly, and the incident is now under full disciplinary review.
The fallout has been swift:
- Barcelona fans have flooded social media, demanding accountability, a formal apology, and even retrospective punishment.
- FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee is expected to convene within days, with possible suspensions looming for Ricci and the VAR officials.
- Even within Dortmund’s camp, sources suggest surprise that Can avoided expulsion—raising questions about fairness and sporting integrity.
This controversy could become a defining moment in VAR’s already rocky legacy. With the Champions League knockout stages intensifying, the timing of such a high-profile error couldn’t be worse.
As the football world holds its breath, the question now is clear: Will FIFA use this as a turning point to fix VAR’s credibility crisis—or let another blunder fade into history?
