VAR audio after Lamine Yamal’s controversial ghost goal in Barcelona’s Clasico defeat is released as officials admit they had NO clear evidence the ball crossed the line.

VAR audio taken following Lamine Yamal’s controversial ghost goal in Barcelona’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid has been released by the RFEF.

Described as an “exercise in transparency”, the body responsible for refereeing in Spain has lifted the veil on the discussion between referee Soto Grado and VAR officials.

Xavi’s side suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to their fierce rivals at the weekend after Jude Bellingham crashed into the net deep in injury time, leaving Los Blancos 11 points clear at the top of La Liga and on track to win the title.

Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez struck either side of Vinicius Junior’s penalty as Barcelona twice took the lead, only for Lucas Vasquez to score the leveler and set up a grandstand finish which saw Bellingham smash as the 90 minutes.

The visitors were, however, furious at a goal they felt should have been awarded, after Yamal’s close-range strike appeared to have crossed the line.

Yamal’s shot appeared to have crossed the line but the goal was disallowed after a VAR check

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin pushed the ball away at the near post, but subsequent replays showed Yamal’s smart shot from a corner could have been legal.

Less than 24 hours later, the RFEF published the entire conversation, which lasted just over six minutes, between the match officials on its official X page.

After Yamal’s effort, an assistant referee could be heard saying “damn it” twice before suggesting a corner be given despite the confusion. The referee was then informed by his VAR manager that the check would take place.

Barcelona players gathered around Grado and demanded that the goal be awarded, although the referee told Ilkay Gundogan that no goal-line technology was in place.

One of the VAR officials said: “Stop at the point of contact when it touches Lunin’s gloves and turn it over.” Another then added that he would do a “360” check to look for concrete evidence that the entire ball had actually crossed the line.

However, a new angle of the incident has emerged where Yamal’s effort (bottom left) appeared to have been legal, with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin pushing the ball behind the line.

The referee explained to the furious Barcelona players that there was no goal-line technology.

Jude Bellingham crashed into the roof of the net in stoppage time to seal a dramatic victory

“Lunin’s body has us covered,” one official said. “Wait a second, we’re still looking for the evidence. This one doesn’t work for me (first angle), this one doesn’t work either (second angle), this one doesn’t work either (third angle), keep going…

“This one (fourth angle) neither, this one (fifth angle) neither, and this one (sixth angle) neither. »

Grado asked the VAR room to carefully check every angle and avoid making a hasty decision.

He was then informed that VAR had looked at every possible angle.

“César, Cesar, we are going to restart from a corner,” finally confirmed a VAR official. “We have no evidence that the ball went in, so corner. We have no evidence that the ball went in, so corner.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the club could push for the clash to be replayed, while boss Xavi said the decision was a “disgrace”.