According to Mundo Deportivo, citing Esport3, the instruction brings back memories of Marc Pubill’s handball. The Atlético defender stopped the ball with his hand after receiving it from the goalkeeper, but István Kovács and the VAR decided that common sense was apparently more important than the actual rule. Hansi Flick demanded a penalty and a second yellow card. The score was 1–0 at the time, before Barcelona eventually lost 2–0.

UEFA has not officially admitted that the officials made a mistake. It has simply issued guidance that happens to describe the incident almost frame by frame. Barça have therefore been proven right at the only moment when they can no longer receive the penalty, a red card or a replay.

The result stays in the history books, Atlético keep the victory and Barcelona receive another reminder that the truth often arrives after they lose. Sometimes it just needs a few months and a fresh UEFA directive.