Former referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz criticized how VAR handled the Lee Kang-in and Federico Valverde incident, while also agreeing that the Real Madrid player himself contributed to the referees' mistake.
Once again, a play from the Madrid derby last Sunday is back under the microscope. Again, the studs-up challenge Lee Kang-in dealt Federico Valverde has given a lot to talk about on El Dia Despues on Movistar Plus. On this occasion, former referee and now refereeing analyst Antonio Mateu Lahoz analyzed what happened during this action, specifically on the Uruguayan's part.
"The photo, we have seen it... Clearer impossible; there is a lot of danger. Fortunately, even though it is impossible for him not to get injured, let's hope Valverde doesn't get hurt; until now, we've seen these actions result in a red card. So much so that I am sure that, as in the Diego (Simeone) video we saw, he saw the action at halftime.
In the end, VAR did not intervene, which is hard to understand, since this should be completely different. And because they had taught us that VAR often does more math than football." And, to wrap up, the former referee agreed with the theory stated by Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano.
Who told Juanma Castano on Movistar Plus Deportes this: "Remember that regarding Valverde, Mourinho already accused him in a match of being naive, because he had gotten up too soon after a foul that he believed deserved a higher sanction. And here it gives me the feeling that Valverde gets up too soon, and that can induce."
In this way, the Korean forward of Atletico de Madrid saved himself from a sending-off (he did not even see the yellow card, impressive), while Valverde has just been diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle, awaiting the club's notification of what his recovery time will be. For now, he will miss this international break with Uruguay, staying in Madrid to begin treatment.
Whether the Real Madrid players are "innocent" is for each person to judge. But the truth is that other teams usually "sell" this type of action better. It is clear that if a player receives a studs-up challenge above the ankle, he will stay rolling on the grass for at least a minute, enough time for VAR to see the play and call the referee. We do not know; the hunger to keep playing is appreciated, but this, in the end, is also cunning, rare for Valverde.
