CTA rules on Eric Garcia’s clash with Jude Bellingham in Barcelona’s Clasico win

TL;DR

Eric Garcia's clash with Jude Bellingham during Barcelona's Clasico win has sparked controversy, with Real Madrid's manager claiming it was a 'clear elbow.' The Technical Committee of Referees stated no sanctions were necessary as the incident was deemed open to interpretation.

Key points

Eric Garcia clashed with Jude Bellingham during Barcelona's Clasico win.
Bellingham required medical treatment after the incident.
The Technical Committee of Referees found no clear error in the referee's decision.

Mentioned in this story

Alvaro ArbeloaFlorentino Perez

FC BarcelonaReal Madrid

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 10: Gerard Martin and Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona tend to Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid after a collision with Eric Garcia (not pictured), which later resulted in Jude Bellingham needing medical treatment, during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona’s Clasico win over Real Madrid on Sunday featured a clash between Eric Garcia and Jude Bellingham that left the England midfielder requiring treatment. Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa called it a “clear elbow” after the game and questioned why VAR did not intervene, while in the aftermath of the game. The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has now reviewed the incident and explained why no sanctions were handed out. “A Barcelona defender made contact with a Real Madrid player’s face with his arm. The referee allowed play to continue, and VAR decided not to intervene. “The CTA upholds this decision because the action is open to interpretation, and there is no clear or obvious error. In contact incidents, the intensity must be assessed, and this action adheres to protocol.” Real Madrid hit out at referees again on Tuesday, with president Florentino Perez indulging in a bizarre rant at a press conference.

Q&A

What did the Technical Committee of Referees say about Eric Garcia's clash with Jude Bellingham?

The Technical Committee of Referees stated that the incident was open to interpretation and did not constitute a clear or obvious error, thus no sanctions were applied.

Why did Real Madrid's manager criticize the referees after the Clasico?

Real Madrid's manager Alvaro Arbeloa criticized the referees for not intervening with VAR, labeling Garcia's action as a 'clear elbow' to Bellingham's face.

What actions might Barcelona take in response to Real Madrid's president's comments?

Barcelona has confirmed they could take legal action against Real Madrid president Florentino Perez following his controversial remarks at a press conference.