An alternative version of the La Liga table – showcasing how things would look without the use of the Video Assistant Replay system – has piqued widespread attentions online late on Sunday.
The subject of VAR, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines once more across the evening to date.
This comes owing to a game-changing pair of decisions in Barcelona’s meeting with Athletic Club.
En route to a hard-fought victory for the Blaugrana at San Mames, Raphinha saw what proved to be the game’s winner ruled out by referee Jesus Gil Manzano, only for VAR to intervene en route to the goal standing.
Then, with just minutes remaining in the clash, hosts Athletic were denied an equaliser, after a VAR check identified a hand ball infringement in the buildup to Inaki Williams slotting beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Inaki Williams’ equalizer vs. Barca was ruled out by VAR because of a handball in the build up of the goal. pic.twitter.com/8wj0cAm05z
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 12, 2023
Barcelona, as a result, marched on to victory, reestablishing the club’s hefty nine-point advantage over Clasico rivals Real Madrid at the summit of Spain’s top-flight.
According to data compiled by a number of sources, taking VAR decisions out of the equation, Barca and Real Madrid would be locked on 61 points apiece at the division’s summit.
Not only that, but the latter would actually be leading the way, after emerging triumphant from the first Clasico of the campaign back in October.
Without VAR’s corrections, Barcelona and Real Madrid would be both at 61 points this season, with Real Madrid leading.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 12, 2023
Clasificación de Primera sin rectificaciones VAR:
61 Barça
61 Madrid
45 Atlético
45 Real
41 Villarreal
40 Betis
37 Celta
34 Mallorca
33 Rayo
32 Athletic
31 Espanyol
31 Cádiz
30 Osasuna
29 Girona
27 Valencia
27 Sevilla
26 Getafe
26 Valladolid
20 Almería
16 Elche— Pedro Martin (@pedritonumeros) March 12, 2023
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