VAR audio of decision to overturn Gerard Martin’s red card for Barcelona vs Atletico released

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 04: Gerard Martin of FC Barcelona see the red card that was later disallowed by VAR during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on April 04, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images

Barcelona beat Atletico 2-1 on Saturday night in a game which saw VAR overturn a red card for Gerard Martin at the start of the season half.

Martin was initially handed his marching orders for a tackle on Thiago Almada but it was downgraded after VAR recommended that match referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer review the incident on the screen.

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The audio of the conversation between the match officials has now been released and goes as follows:

“Mateo, I recommend a review so you can consider a possible reversal of the red card you showed, please,” VAR referee Mario Melero López said.

“In my opinion, it’s an action where the Barcelona player is playing the ball normally, a normal part of the game, and then the contact with the Atlético player occurs naturally.”

The referee has a check and replies: “Okay, the Barcelona player with control of the ball plays it and then steps on it, normal dynamic. I’m going to cancel the red card and show him the yellow card, okay?”

“That’s right, agreed,” is the response.

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