A protest outside the usual framework, with a smartphone used as evidence to challenge a referee's decision. Practically, VAR on the pitch in 2026. This is what happened during the match between Godoy Cruz and All Boys in Argentina, where an episode requiring a video review caused tensions and a long interruption of the game.
At the center of the debate was the penalty awarded by referee Nicolás Lamolina in favor of the team from Mendoza, after an intervention by Iván Zafarana. The decision immediately caused protests from the All Boys players, convinced that the foul had occurred outside the penalty area and that, therefore, there was no reason to award the penalty.
The protests quickly grew increasingly violent, involving not only the players on the pitch but also members of the technical staff. The situation spiraled out of control when the All Boys captain decided to try a completely unusual route: he joined the debate with his phone in hand, trying to show the referee footage of the disputed action.
The goal was clear: to convince Lamolina that the questionable contact had occurred beyond the area line, thus turning the penalty into a free kick. A kind of improvised VAR system, directly on the field of play.
All Boys captain approaches referee with cell phone to challenge penalty
The scene, undoubtedly unusual, contributed to further increasing tension. The All Boys' protests continued for a long time and the match was interrupted for about ten minutes, while the players and staff tried to defend their point of view on the referee's decision.
The case brought attention back to one of the most delicate aspects of football: the adjudication of controversial episodes and the difficulty of accepting decisions that can significantly affect the course of a match.
