During a La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Getafe, a bizarre incident occurred when Getafe's defender Abdel Abqar was sent off with a red card for grabbing Atletico's Alexander Sörloth in a sensitive area. The incident took place early in the second half after Abqar had previously been pulled down by Sörloth. The match referee promptly referred to VAR to review the incident, leading to the decision to expel Abqar for his unsportsmanlike behavior.

Abqar later explained that his intention was not to grab Sörloth inappropriately, but rather to touch him in the stomach to gauge his movements on the field. He emphasized that such physical interactions happen often in football, stating, "We touch each other, bump into one another, and everything in between," although he admitted that it was not his intention to make an inappropriate touch. This explanation adds an interesting layer to the incident, reflecting the physical nature of football while also acknowledging the boundaries that should not be crossed.

This occurrence raises discussions about player conduct and the acceptable physicality in football. The intervention of VAR in this situation also highlights the increasing scrutiny of player actions on the field, potentially leading to more stringent rules governing player behavior. As the season progresses, instances like these could influence how players interact on the pitch and how strict officiating becomes in addressing behaviors that may be perceived as crossing the line.