Osasuna sent a formal letter to the Spanish Football Federation and the Technical Referees Committee, objecting to the technology that is expected to support the VAR system. The complaint arises from the 0-0 draw against Celta last Monday, which included the disallowing of Ez Abde’s goal. The Navarre club argues that the decision hinged on images shown on television that did not clearly prove a violation and appeared to suggest one. The footage was captured from multiple angles around the attacker and the defender, yet Osasuna contends the lines used were not decisive.
A detailed report is offered as supporting evidence. Osasuna accompanies its formal complaint with a technical report presented in audiovisual format, including a three-dimensional geometric analysis prepared by architect Ignacio Tellado. The study claims to demonstrate that the attacker was in a legal position and that the goal should have stood on the scoreboard.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | Osasuna requests a deeper evaluation of the technological procedures used to assist arbitration by the Spanish Football Federation and the CTA.
— CA OSASUNA (@Osasuna) March 8, 2023
The club emphasizes that the study reveals inaccuracies in the lines drawn by the VAR, arguing that the current method does not yield a correct arbitration outcome. The central concern is not the outcome itself but the reliability of the line-drawing process employed in a professional league. The statement asserts that a fair decision depends on technology that is precise, dependable, and supportive of referees in delivering fair judgments whenever possible.
The document stresses that an arbitration decision should not rely on imperfect technology. It urges improvements to ensure consistent application of tools and to safeguard the integrity of refereeing throughout the competition, reinforcing the need for robust verification of the visuals used in match conclusions.
In presenting this position, Osasuna aims to provoke a thorough review of how technology feeds into match officiating. The club notes that the core issue lies in the epidemiology of line interpretation and the overall impact on game outcomes, rather than personal or club bias. The message is clear: technology should enhance, not undermine, the fairness of decisions on the field and, by extension, the credibility of the sport.