CTA Upholds Disallowed Ferran Torres Goal as Semi-Automated Offside Technology Validates Celta Vigo Decision

Spain's Referees Committee CTA defends the disallowed Barcelona goal vs Celta Vigo, citing semi-automated technology precision in Ferran Torres offside.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 9:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Technical Committee of Referees in Spain (CTA)

Official Validation of a Contentious VAR Review

The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has issued a definitive statement confirming that the decision to nullify Ferran Torres’ second-half goal against Celta Vigo was made in strict accordance with approved regulations. The incident, which occurred in the 55th minute of the midweek La Liga fixture, saw Torres find the net after a through ball from Pedri. However, the celebrations were cut short when a VAR review intervened, ruling the forward offside. According to the CTA, the technology utilized in the match provided a high-precision analysis that overrode the initial on-field perception of a legal goal.

Technical Precision Over Virtual Simulation

Addressing concerns regarding the visual clarity of the replays provided to broadcasters, the CTA emphasized that refereeing decisions do not rely solely on television simulations. Instead, officials utilize a precise technical system that tracks multiple points on a player's body in real-time. The committee explained that the semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) detected a "very narrow offside situation," where Ferran Torres’ shoulder was marginally ahead of the last Celta Vigo defender. This technical data is cross-referenced with high-frame-rate cameras to ensure that the moment of the pass and the player's position are perfectly synchronized.

Collaboration With Technology Providers

In an effort to increase transparency, the CTA confirmed it is working closely with its technology partner, Hawk-Eye, to improve the quality of virtual images and graphical outputs for fans. The committee acknowledged that while the technical decision-making process is sound, the rendering of these decisions for public consumption can be refined to enhance credibility. By improving the modeling of player skeletons, especially in high-density areas, the league aims to minimize the "scandal" narrative that often accompanies marginal calls. This ongoing development is part of a broader commitment to elevating the standard of officiating in Spanish football.