Referee blunder at Mestalla sparks controversy: what the rule says

Referee Jesús Gil Manzano’s controversial decision stealing the spotlight. The referee blew the final whistle a second before Jude Bellingham’s potential winning goal, leaving players, managers, and fans bewildered.

According to Mundodeportivo,the rulebook, specifically Rule 9 of the International Board, dictates when a ball is not in play.

The confusion at Mestalla stemmed from Gil Manzano’s timing, as he should have either made the decision at the first rebound of the corner kick or allowed the play to finish with Brahim’s center and Bellingham’s subsequent shot.

Once the referee blows the whistle, the game is officially over, rendering any subsequent actions invalid.

The rule states, “The ball will not be in play when: 1.- it has completely crossed the goal or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air; 2.- the game has been stopped by the referee.”

Since Gil Manzano whistled just before the crucial play, it is considered that the game had already stopped.

Referee sources consulted by MD label this as an enormous clumsiness on the part of the referee. The controversy draws parallels with a similar incident in a previous season when referee Ortiz Arias faced a comparable situation in Valladolid-Sevilla, blowing the whistle just as a crucial play unfolded from a corner kick.

The fallout from the incident includes calls for accountability and discussions on how such errors can impact the outcome of football matches.

The referee’s blunder and the subsequent controversy have once again raised questions about the role and effectiveness of VAR in preventing such game-changing mistakes.

As debates continue to unfold, the focus shifts to the refereeing establishment’s response and potential consequences for Gil Manzano, reminiscent of the Ortiz Arias incident from the past.