Change in VAR: Marciniak with a new partner
Good news for the red and white fans: the change of Szymon Marciniak’s VAR partner has nothing to do with the controversial penalty disallowed in the derby against Real Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Initially, there was speculation about a possible UEFA sanction after the penalty shootout, but the reality is different. According to COPE and MD, Tomasz Kwiatkowski’s absence is due to a physical injury, preventing him from being present at the match between Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt.
This news clears any doubts about possible reprisals against the refereeing team for the play in question. In fact, Marciniak and Kwiatkowski were appointed for a Nations League match between Germany and Italy shortly after the derby, which proves that UEFA did not consider that there were reasons to sanction them.
This detail reinforces the position of the highest football body, which already supported the refereeing decision with a video showing that Julián Álvarez hit the ball twice before the penalty kick.
Therefore, Atlético fans can rest assured: the refereeing decision in the derby was the right one and has not generated negative consequences for the main referee. The change in VAR is due exclusively to physical reasons, dispelling any suspicion of punishment related to the match in the Metropolitano. One more example that Atleti fights tooth and nail, always with their heads held high.
