The Almería squad faced a decisive match at El Plantío, where a single point is considered valuable in the final stretch of the championship. This outcome places the team in third position in the standings, locked in a fierce battle for the top two spots, which appear to be contested by three teams.
The game was overshadowed by a controversial refereeing decision. A potential penalty for handball by an Almería defender was reviewed by the VAR. The referee, after consulting the images, chose not to award the penalty, arguing that the ball had no impact on the play and that the defender did not intentionally seek to handle it.
“"Look, Salva, we observe an outstretched arm, coming from a ball from a long distance, and for us, that is punishable, due to the player's intentionality."
“"I'm going to tell you what I see, okay? The defender is marking him, I don't see any shot from the Burgos player. The ball is going out and has no impact on the play. I'm going to rule no penalty and tell me how it goes out."
The decision sparked a strong reaction from Burgos CF, which issued a statement expressing its “deep concern and indignation” over the referee's performance. The Burgos club formally requested the publication of the full audio of the conversation between the VAR and the main referee to clarify the criteria applied.
“"We are not asking for any preferential treatment. We are asking for equality. We are asking for the same criteria."
Despite the controversy, Almería managed to keep a clean sheet, a feat not achieved in two months. The team, under the guidance of its coach, has found a recognizable lineup that has allowed them to secure important points in this crucial phase of the season.
