Policeman's VAR plea goes viral during Deportivo vs Real Oviedo clash
20 August 2024 20:41
A short recording of the stands during the match between Deportivo La Coruna and Real Oviedo went viral. A policeman was caught on camera gesturing for the referee to use the VAR system. Salvador Lax Franco, the referee, did not notice the impassioned officer, but the uniformed fan attracted significant attention.
The policeman's task was maintaining order during the match that kicked off the season in the Segunda Division, the second tier of Spanish football. Deportivo La Coruna played against Real Oviedo, and a shot in the 5th minute secured a 1-0 victory for the visitors. Alberto del Moral clinched the three points for Real Oviedo.
Like many men in Spain, the law enforcer is also an avid football fan. At the stadium, he could combine business with pleasure and watch Deportivo La Coruna's first match of the season. His colleagues from the station were also keenly interested in the match.
A short video appeared online, drawing attention to the policeman's behaviour. He made a distinctive gesture towards the referee.
It was not an offensive gesture. The officer demanded that VAR be used, which enables the review of situations using replays.
Referee Salvador Lax Franco could hardly have seen the policeman standing on the high stand. There were over 25,000 fans in the La Coruna stadium, and the officer was just one of the outraged individuals.
The policeman's behaviour gained significant attention, and the video went viral across internet portals and popular social media profiles. The Saudi Arabian media also took an interest in the Spaniards.