The uproar came a day after VAR had helped award a decisive penalty for Real Madrid in its 'clasico' win against Barcelona.

Cadiz's first-half goal by Alvaro Negredo was called back for offside after a wait of nearly five minutes while the play was analysed by the officials.

The league released the photo with the superimposed lines that led to the decision - but it still left plenty of space for debate.

Video review also played a role in Alaves' 2-0 win at Valladolid, leading to a red card for the hosts in the first half and influencing two other calls after the break.

Most front pages in Spain on Sunday mentioned the VAR call that helped to give Madrid a 3-1 victory over Barcelona after Sergio Ramos' jersey was pulled inside the area at the Camp Nou Stadium.

Barcelona and coach Ronald Koeman loudly complained, saying the pull on Ramos did not cause him to drop on the field in such a manner.

A victory against Villarreal could have left pushed Cadiz to the top of the league along with Real Madrid, but instead they stayed in seventh place, two points back.

"What bothers me is if only some plays are being checked," Cadiz coach Alvaro Cervera said. "If they went to check and it's offside, then it's offside, no problem. But which ones are checked and which ones are not checked?"

Koeman had claimed Saturday that only calls against Barcelona were being checked.

Unai Emery's Villarreal could have taken sole possession of the lead had they won but they are one point behind Madrid, who have a game in hand.

"The team did well and showed improvement, but it wasn't enough for the win," Emery said. "The point wasn't enough."

Tomas Pina and Borja Sainz scored as Alaves won at last-place Valladolid.

The hosts went a man down in the 21st minute after video review determined that Nacho Martinez deserved a red card for a foul.

VAR later helped to disallow one goal by Alaves and confirm another.

Australian Associated Press