Reason Arda Guler Avoided Red Card Against Sevilla Revealed

A lack of conclusive broadcast footage prevented VAR from intervening in a controversial clash between Arda Guler and Peque during Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Sevilla. According to Spanish outlet AS, none of the available camera angles clearly captured the contact between the two players, making it impossible to determine whether the Real Madrid midfielder deserved a straight red card. The incident occurred in the first half, shortly before Guler broke the deadlock. The Turkish international swung an arm toward Peque, sparking furious appeals for a dismissal from the Sevilla camp. While the incident was checked by VAR, referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer was not instructed to consult the pitchside monitor.

La Liga officials have denied withholding any footage of the contentious incident. They explained that the broadcast cameras were tracking the attacking phase of play elsewhere on the pitch, failing to capture a close-up of the altercation between Guler and Peque. "There was no camera angle clear enough to show the exact point of impact. That is why VAR did not intervene," a refereeing source told AS. Further reports from the refereeing committee noted that while wide-angle shots suggested contact was made, they were insufficient to establish where the blow landed or what part of the body made contact.

The issue tied the hands of the match officials, who were left without sufficient evidence to make a definitive ruling. The lack of footage would have created the same dilemma in the reverse scenario: had Busquets Ferrer shown a straight red card, the VAR system still would have lacked the necessary replays to overturn the decision. AS noted that a similar camera coverage blind spot occurred in the match between Alaves and Getafe earlier this season, raising questions about broadcast camera coverage even in top-tier stadiums equipped with numerous cameras.