Source: REUTERS/Phil Noble
[Saba Sports News] In the 32nd round of La Liga, Villarreal drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad at home. Notably, three goals scored by Villarreal were disallowed during the match, two of which were controversial. After the game, Villarreal’s 21-year-old striker Ilias Akhomach first shouted at the main referee in dissatisfaction, then smashed the VAR monitor on the sidelines. The referee reported in the match report: “After the match, Villarreal player Akhomach, who was not selected for the game, approached me and shouted ‘This is disgraceful! This is disgraceful!’ He was then pulled back by teammates and coaches. When he returned to the locker room, he smashed the VAR monitor, causing it to fall to the ground and get damaged.” Akhomach had been injured previously and did not make Villarreal’s squad for this match, only sitting on the sidelines to watch, but seeing his team’s consecutive goals disallowed still infuriated him. According to regulations, Akhomach’s entry onto the field without being selected for the squad is against the rules, and protesting and insulting the referee could result in a two-match ban. Smashing the VAR monitor is considered an unethical act; if found guilty, he could face up to a four-match ban.