Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández recently expressed his frustration with the decisions made by LaLiga referees during their recent match against Alavés. Xavi claimed that his team is 'paying for the Negreira case' after Vitor Roque received a red card in that game. Roque was sent off just 13 minutes after coming on as a substitute, receiving two bookings and leaving Barcelona shorthanded for the rest of the match.
Xavi believes that his team has been on the receiving end of several unfair decisions throughout the season, and he suggests that these decisions may be connected to the investigation into Barcelona's relationship with José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain's refereeing body. Barcelona admits to having paid companies connected to Negreira over €7 million across 18 years, but they maintain that these payments were for technical reports on refereeing and not for buying match officials or influencing their decisions.
In a press conference, Xavi expressed his disappointment with the referee's decision to send off Roque and called it an 'unfair dismissal.' He urged the referees to allow Barcelona to compete fairly in LaLiga and criticized what he perceives as a pattern of mistakes going against his team. Xavi also indicated that Barcelona will appeal the red card.
However, Xavi stated that he does not want to dwell on the subject of referees anymore. His comments come on the heels of accusing Real Madrid TV of 'influencing the competition every week' by showcasing videos of refereeing mistakes before and after games this season. Xavi's remarks sparked a response from Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who stated that he would not engage in similar behavior.
Putting the controversy aside, Xavi also discussed the performance of Vitor Roque in the match against Alavés. The 18-year-old Brazilian made an impressive impact, scoring his first goal for Barcelona before being sent off. Despite the dismissal overshadowing Roque's achievement, Xavi lauded his contribution and highlighted the budding talent he possesses.
Barcelona had taken a 2-0 lead in the match, with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gündogan. Samu Omorodion briefly brought Alavés back into contention, but Roque's goal sealed the victory for Barcelona. The win moved them within seven points of league leaders Real Madrid, who were set to face Atlético Madrid the following day.
Xavi expressed his satisfaction with the back-to-back wins, following his announcement that he will step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season. He emphasized the team's clinical finishing, an aspect they had struggled with throughout the season. Xavi also praised the performances of Andreas Christensen, who played in an unfamiliar midfield role, and young talent Lamine Yamal, who impressed once again on the right wing.
In conclusion, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández voiced his concerns over what he perceives as unfair decisions going against his team and suggested a connection to the ongoing investigation into their relationship with a former official. Despite the controversy, Xavi also commended the performances of his players, highlighting the talent and progress they have shown. As Barcelona continues their fight for LaLiga, it remains to be seen how these external factors will impact their season.
