Deco seeks clarity on controversial call against Lewandowski’s goal – ‘They have to explain something’

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco recently sat down with Mundo Deportivo to discuss the issues surrounding VAR, particularly after Barcelona’s recent 1-2 loss to Real Sociedad.

During the match, Barcelona had a goal by Robert Lewandowski disallowed due to a contentious VAR offside call, sparking heated discussions.

Although Deco made it clear that the team’s loss was not purely due to this decision, he pointed out the importance of transparency regarding how the semi-automatic offside rule functions, for the benefit of the entire football community.

How did Barcelona assess the situation?

Deco expressed that, while VAR was introduced to eliminate errors, it hasn’t fully succeeded in doing so. According to him, although some improvements have come with VAR, there is still too much room for human interpretation.

“I think that the VAR, and not because of this match, has not yet solved the problems that it was supposed to solve. 

“Some things have improved, but in others, we still have the interpretation of a person. Technology has not yet been able to get ahead of a human decision,” he said.

In this specific match, he observed that the VAR’s offside decision did not seem straightforward and appeared to lack clarity. This issue has left not only fans but also officials like him puzzled.

Deco highlighted the need for more clarity on why it’s termed “semi-automatic” and how it differs from a fully automated system. It seems to him that the system still relies on a person to activate the decision, which raises questions about the level of human intervention involved.

“We are still having controversial decisions like the one in Anoeta, which is surely not the right one. I don’t understand, but if it is semi-automatic it is not automatic, someone has to press the button.

“There is something that they should explain to us. Why is it semi-automatic? I am lost. I still don’t know if the boots were yellow, or black. We don’t want to go there because we don’t want to go with excuses.

“But there is a question: what happened? Where is the error, if there is an error?  If not, it doesn’t matter, let them explain it to us but they have to explain something because we are a bit lost,” he said.

Barcelona need an explanation

When asked if Barcelona would demand clarification, Deco remarked that while revisiting the call won’t alter the game’s result, it’s essential for football’s progress.

He noted that if the semi-automatic system is ineffective in ensuring precise calls, the sport might need to consider alternative methods. The primary goal, Deco explained, is not to gain an advantage for Barcelona but to see football evolve in a way that benefits all teams equally.

“The truth is that it was a goal that was disallowed and they called it incorrectly. But from here on, football must evolve, otherwise we are lost. 

“If it is a matter of semi-automatic control that in the end is useless, then we go back to the other system.” 

Deco emphasised the importance of VAR working correctly, especially for fans who want to understand these decisions.

“Those in charge have to tell us something. We are not saying this because Barça has been harmed, but to improve. If it is a mistake, we have to find a solution and explain why they made a mistake and what can happen. 

“The VAR had to make decisions clearer and make football easier for us, even for those watching at home to understand it and have it explained to them,” he noted.

Although VAR has led to some improvements and Barcelona has previously benefitted from accurate offside calls, there are still areas that need attention.

Deco stressed that he speaks not only as Barça’s Sporting Director but also as a fan who wants to understand how these decisions impact the game.

“We are not going to go into this, but they have to explain it to us. I am not speaking as the sporting director of Barça but as a football spectator.” 

In his view, a better explanation of how semi-automatic offside works would not only help the teams but would also clarify things for supporters worldwide.

“I would like to better understand why the decisions were made and, if it is semi-automatic, what risk there is of it not being offside. They have to explain something to us,” he added.

Ultimately, Deco believes that clearer communication from those in charge of officiating decisions is vital.

If there are inherent flaws in the system, he feels they must be addressed. Football, he argued, can only advance if the tools designed to aid it are reliable and easily understood by all involved, from players to fans.