Barcelona head coach Xavi feels that his complaints about refereeing in his team’s Champions League loss to Inter didn’t do them much good.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his team’s La Liga clash with Villarreal, as reported by FCInterNews, the Blaugranas coach reflected on what he feels the effect of officiating has been on his team so far this season.
The Barcelona players and staff made absolutely no effort to hide their frustration at the officials during the match with Inter at the San Siro.
First, the Blaugranas had what they thought was an equalizer disallowed for an attacking handball by winger Ansu Fati.
Then, very late in the match, Barcelona were adamant that they should have been awarded a penalty for a similar handball incident committed by Inter wingback Denzel Dumfries.
However, neither on-pitch referee Slavko Vincic nor the VAR felt that the Dutchman’s handling of the ball was worthy of a penalty.
Barcelona’s protests continued long after the match, with both Xavi and also President Joan Laporta sticking to this theme, with the latter even describing the officiating at the San Siro as a “scandal.”
Xavi looked back, stating that “I complained a lot about the refereeing after we faced Inter, but it didn’t help.”
“I always assume that the referees are honest,” he continued.
The Blaugranas coach added that “I always assume that at the end of the season the mistakes more or less even out.”
“Now let’s see if the situation is balanced in our favour.”
