Lech Poznań goalkeeper Mateusz Lis red card overturned after VAR review
In an Ekstraklasa match between Lech Poznań and Cracovia, goalkeeper Mateusz Lis was shown a red card and a direct free‑kick for handling the ball in the 53rd minute. A VAR review determined that the handball occurred inside the penalty area, leading the referee to cancel both the red card and the free‑kick. The Polish Football Association (PZPN) and its Referees' College issued statements confirming that the VAR‑based decision was correct and that no foul had been committed. The federation also clarified that Cracovia was not disadvantaged by the incident.
The review highlighted that the decisive factor was the position of the ball relative to the penalty line, with the VAR concluding that the ball was wholly within the penalty area when the goalkeeper made contact with his hands.
Entities: Cracovia · Lech Poznań · Mateusz Lis · PZPN Referees' College · Polish Football Association (PZPN)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The handball was determined to have occurred inside the penalty area. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The PZPN Referees' College affirmed that no foul occurred. (supports)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mateusz Lis was issued a red card for handball in the 53rd minute of the Lech Poznań vs Cracovia match. (supports)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The decision hinged on whether any part of the ball was outside the penalty area at the moment of contact. (supports)
- [● 2 SOURCES] VAR review reversed the red card and the direct free kick awarded to Cracovia. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cracovia was not disadvantaged by the incident. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Polish Football Association (PZPN) released a statement confirming the decision was correct. (supports)