‘It’s a clear penalty, you don’t need VAR for that’ – Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on Jules Kounde call

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made no effort to hide his frustration with La Liga officiating this week, backing up his president’s comments on a penalty that the Blaugrana were not given against Getafe. A late corner saw Jules Kounde go down in the box under pressure from Chrisantus Uche, but neither the referee saw enough to give a penalty, nor did the VAR consider it sufficient to call him over to make a decision.

The decision hit the headlines after the match, but on Monday morning President Joan Laporta said that it was not being talked about it enough. Laporta referred to the decision as a scandal. Naturally, Flick was asked about it during his pre-match press conference as Barcelona prepare to face Benfica in the Champions League at the Estadio da Luz.

So far Flick has been careful not to comment much on refereeing decisions, but that intention is slowly losing grip.

“Was it or wasn’t it? (laughs). I don’t know what to say. It’s the same in every game. It’s unbelievable. For me, it’s unbelievable. You don’t need VAR, it’s a clear penalty. What should I say?”