Why VAR couldn't overturn Santiago Hezze red card after Barcelona's Marc Casado 'went down like he’s taken a right hook from Tyson Fury'

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Barcelona may have eased to a 6-1 victory over Olympiacos to get their UEFA Champions League campaign back on track but it was not a game that was without controversy. Fermin Lopez scored a hat-trick and Marcus Rashford netted two more goals, but it was referee Urs Schnyder who was the main talking point after a controversial disallowed goal and bizarre red card to Santiago Hezze.

'Like he's taken a right hook from Tyson Fury' - Hezze red card stuns commentators

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Barcelona’s thumping 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League was a game filled with controversy.

Hansi Flick’s side were inspired by a hat-trick from Fermin Lopez and two goals from Marcus Rashford, but the talking points post-match will be on the referee and VAR.

At 2-0 to the hosts, Ayoub El Kaabi thought he had scored for Olympiacos, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out, awarding Olympiacos a penalty for a Barcelona handball.

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El Kaabi did convert from the spot, but the controversy did not stop there, as just four minutes later, Santiago Hezze was sent off.

The Argentinian midfielder appeared to clip Marc Casado as he was trying to ward him off the ball.

Already on a yellow card, that prompted Swiss referee Urs Schnyder to show him a second yellow and send him off.

'They don't need to check for that!' – VAR confusion as Olympiacos goal ruled out and penalty given

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a decision that left Olympiacos players and manager Jose Luis Mendilibar furious, and his anger only intensified when a replay was shown.

It appeared that Hezze very lightly touched the head of Casado, who then flopped to the floor.

But despite Mendilibar protesting and signalling to the referee for VAR to be consulted, he could not reverse his decision because two yellow cards - rather than a straight red - had been shown. Hezze, who was sitting on the steps of the dugout in astonishment, had to continue his walk to the changing rooms.

It was a decision that left co-commentator Adam Virgo stunned.

He said: "I've said throughout this whole game that the referee has just given such soft yellow cards for fouls that should just be free-kicks and then you get on with it.

"He catches him like a feather landing on your head and he's gone down like he's just taken a right hook from Tyson Fury."

It proved to be the decisive turning point in the match. With Olympiacos previously knocking on the door at 2-1, Rashford was felled in the box by goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and Lamine Yamal converted from the penalty spot.

It was not long before Rashford got his brace, either side of Lopez scoring his first Champions League hat-trick on a night that Mendilibar will not want to remember in a hurry.

Lopez grabs his second to double Barcelona lead

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It is a result that leaves Olympiacos in great difficulty, after also losing 2-0 to Arsenal and only managing a 0-0 draw with Pafos.

As a result, they have just one point, and sit in 32nd in the league table, with Benfica, Athletic Club and Ajax all able to potentially usurp them later this matchday.

It lifts Barcelona back inside the top eight, at least temporarily, recovering from a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last time out and getting maximum points despite an injury crisis in their forward line.

In the absence of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Raphinha, 17-year-old Dro Fernandez started, while Rashford slotted in as a makeshift striker.

They will hope this result stands them in good stead for El Clasico, with a momentous clash against La Liga leaders Real Madrid to come on Sunday.

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