Sat Mar 29 14:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Espanyol Takes Griezmann’s “Ghost Goal” to Court

**Barcelona, Spain** – RCD Espanyol has filed a lawsuit against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over a controversial goal scored by Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann in a 2022 match. The goal, deemed a “ghost goal” by Espanyol, was awarded despite replays seemingly showing the ball did not fully cross the goal line. This disputed goal, validated by VAR, contributed significantly to Espanyol’s subsequent relegation from La Liga.

The incident occurred on May 24, 2022, during a match at the RCDE Stadium. Espanyol’s then-manager, Luis García, immediately protested the decision, citing the lack of conclusive evidence showing the ball crossing the line. The club formally challenged the result, a request even supported by Atlético Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, who acknowledged the potential injustice given the high stakes of the match.

Despite the RFEF’s dismissal of Espanyol’s appeal, the club, now in the Segunda División, has pursued legal action. New evidence, reportedly from Madrid courts, supports Espanyol’s claim that the VAR official provided incomplete footage to the referee, omitting images that demonstrated the ball didn’t cross the goal line.

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing frustration among Espanyol supporters over the refereeing decisions that impacted their relegation. This latest legal action reignites the controversy, particularly given recent contentious officiating in other matches involving the club. The outcome of this legal challenge remains to be seen, but it underscores the growing debate surrounding the use of VAR technology in football and its impact on match fairness.

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