Xavi called the refs “embarrassment.” after draw with Getafe
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez criticized LaLiga refereeing after his team opened their championship defence with a dismal goalless draw at Getafe on Sunday, saying it is harming the league’s product.
Both teams finished the game with 10 men after Raphinha and Jaime Mata were sent off, and Xavi was also sent off in the second half for comments made to officials.
Xavi claimed that referee Cesar Soto was overly kind with Getafe, accusing him of “inventing” a handball on Gavi in order to avoid giving Barca a late penalty for a foul on Ronald Arajo.
Xavi called the refs “embarrassment.” after draw with Getafe
“It’s normal that people don’t want to watch football, this was barely a match,” Xavi said reporters after the game at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. “If we’re selling the league’s product, it’s an embarrassment.” Completely. That is tonight’s message. That has been witnessed by everyone. It goes without saying that we should not remain silent.
“The referee allowed anything, sent me off at the first opportunity, and invented Gavi’s handball.” The waste of time was heinous. We should have stopped the clocks because this is absurd.”
Several acts that went unpunished, including two body checks by Damián Suárez, infuriated Barca early on, creating the hostile environment that Xavi said led to Raphinha’s ejection for an elbow.
“Raphinha’s [red card] is a culmination of things,” Barca’s manager explained. “The officials permitted them to do certain things, but not us. They squandered time and disrupted the game… that’s their game. It’s perfectly natural.
“The officials bear responsibility.” It was too much for me. We lost our heads, and Raphinha made a mistake, but only because so much had happened.”
In 15 minutes of second-half stoppage time, Soto checked the pitch side monitor for a potential penalty against Araujo, only to award a handball against Gavi instead.
“I don’t see any handball,” Xavi stated. “It should not be whistled if it is not a clear handball.” That’s what they told us at this week’s referee’s meeting.
“And then they give it to Gavi.” They invented handball, in my opinion. That’s the way it is.”
Getafe coach Jose Bordalas stated Xavi’s statements were meant to cover up his team’s loss on the first weekend of the LaLiga season.
“I don’t think Xavi is doing the league any favours by saying these things,” Bordalas remarked during a press conference. “I believe his comments are an attempt to justify not winning the game with the squad they have.”
“I disagree with him when he blames the officials. I don’t believe they benefited us. We received more bookings, and [Raphinha] delivered the game’s most violent moment.
“It’s a way of justifying dropping points with the way the opposition played, which is disrespectful.”
Barca had earlier came close to scoring when Raphinha’s drive ricocheted off the post, but the Brazilian was sent out in the 42nd minute for elbowing Gastón lvarez.
Getafe’s numerical advantage did not last long, as Mata was sent off in the 57th minute for a late challenge on Araujo, earning him a second yellow card.
Late on, the Blaugrana threw everything at Getafe, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal setting up a golden chance for Ansu Fati, but their losing streak at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stretched to four games, including three straight goalless draws.
“We tried everything,” Xavi said, “but we couldn’t score.” “I believe we deserved to win, but it was insufficient.” It’s a pity.
“A point is not enough for us, but this was a very difficult game for us to play.” We drew here last year as well, and look how things turned out.”
