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Published on 2024-02-02 15:51:48
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his frustration on Friday with the way rival team Real Madrid appears to be influencing referees constantly, asserting that such behavior has completely corrupted La Liga. Real Madrid is currently leading La Liga by two points from Girona and is 10 points ahead of champions Barcelona, who are currently in fourth place. Xavi pointed out that Real Madrid’s television channel has been televising hours of controversial content this season that attacks referees.
“I don’t like that they are influencing referees and they are doing it every week. I think it adulterates the competition a bit,” Xavi, who will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, said at a news conference. He also mentioned that the charges of bribery brought against Barcelona and some of the club’s former directors last year have not helped the situation. The Catalan club has refuted allegations that their payments totaling over seven million euros ($7.5 million) were an attempt to influence refereeing.
Regarding the recent refereeing of a Madrid game against Almeria where the team was initially losing 2-0 but won 3-2 with three controversial VAR decisions, Barcelona president Joan Laporta described the television content as “shameful” and criticized the conduct Real Madrid’s exhibits.
Xavi too was shocked that Madrid was allowed to continue running videos attacking officials. He expressed his surprise and disbelief that such conduct was permitted, declaring that it has completely corrupted the competition. “It adulterates the competition completely, week after week—even the blind can see it,” Xavi said, echoing a statement made by Atletico coach Diego Simeone. Simeone had previously stated that VAR audio clips from Madrid’s match against Almeria showed that officials “think we are stupid, and it makes us angry”.
Meanwhile, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated his belief that the officials made the correct decisions at every juncture in his team’s win over Almeria. This difference in perspective further solidifies the growing tension between the two clubs.
Barcelona is scheduled to visit Alaves on Saturday, while Real Madrid is set to host third-place Atletico Madrid in a highly anticipated derby clash on Sunday. These upcoming matches will be critical in determining the direction of the competition, especially given the recent controversies and disagreements regarding refereeing decisions.
