MADRID: After a Lamine Yamal goal was disallowed by VAR in Barcelona’s 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez criticised the officiating in LaLiga, which does not use goal-line technology.
Vinicius Jr and Lucas Vazquez’s goals helped Real equalise twice after Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez had put Barca ahead on Sunday. Yamal’s effort in the 28th minute was reviewed by VAR for several minutes, as it appeared to cross the line before Real keeper Andrey Lunin cleared it. The goal was disallowed and VAR awarded a corner to Barca.
Real’s win, on the other hand, ended a perfect week for Carlo Ancelotti’s side after they advanced to the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday after beating holders Manchester City on penalties.
Jude Bellingham scored the decider in the 91st minute, securing Real’s fourth consecutive win over the Catalan side. Second-placed Barca trail by 11 points, a deficit that will be difficult to overturn with six games remaining.
“We can’t control them. These are refereeing actions. I think the team is doing very well, we competed very well, we were better than Real on their own pitch and I think we deserved the three points in every way,” Xavi told reporters.
“My feeling today is one of maximum injustice. Goes without saying, everyone saw it,” he added. “My feeling is that today’s match was not fair.” LaLiga is the only top five league in Europe not to use goal-line technology. After Barcelona fans criticised LaLiga for lacking the tech, chief Javier Tebas responded on X by sharing several reports of past incidents where the technology was shown to be inaccurate saying, “no comment”. Barca took the lead in the sixth minute when Andreas Christensen headed in following a corner after Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin failed to clear the cross.
DORTMUND: Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Fuellkrug fired in a first-half goal to seal a 1-0 victory over visitors Paris...
MADRID: Fourth seed Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to beat fellow Kazakhstani Yulia Putintseva 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5...
LONDON: Chelsea’s bid to make it five Women’s Super League titles in a row suffered a huge setback on Wednesday as...
LONDON: Three have become two in the battle for the Premier League title with Arsenal and Manchester City still...
MIAMI: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can complete a hat-trick of Miami Grand Prix victories on Sunday but the announced...
ISLAMABAD: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) were bowled out cheaply in the President’s ODI Cup, handing...
KARACHI: Four foreign players, including two top seeds, have withdrawn from the 16th CNS International Squash that is...
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister National Talent Hunt Table Tennis League Thursday entered the finals stage as Punjab A,...