Sevilla midfielder Roque Mesa believes the introduction of VAR in Spanish football means players ‘can no longer cheat or trick’ the officials.
The central midfielder – who joined the Andalusian club on a permanent deal from Swansea City this summer – was involved in Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa against Barcelona, in which VAR was used.
“In one way, VAR is good but on the other hand, you lose a bit the essence of football,” Mesa told reporters, in quotes carried by ESPN FC.
“You can no longer cheat or trick [the official].”
The technology will be used across the Spanish top flight this season, having come to great prominence in this summer’s World Cup tournament in Russia.