‘It’s a shame’: Xavi seethes after Barcelona lose El Clasico following VAR controversy

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was left seething at refereesafter his team lost 2-3 tobitter rivals Real Madrid to fall behind in the La Liga title race. The match saw a number of 50-50 calls go in favour of the Los Blancos who snatched a stoppage-time winner, courtesy of young sensation, Jude Bellingham.

Speaking after the match, Xavi did not mince any words and questioned the referee for his 'poor' performance.

"Everyone has seen the referee’s performance. They can sanction me, but the images are there for all to see. We have been better than Real Madrid and we deserved all three points," said Xavi.

The absence of the goal-line technology during one of the biggest matches on the planet came as a shock to the Barca coach who said the decisions by the referee completely turned the tide against the defending champions.

"Marc-Andre Ter Stegen [Barca goalkeeper] said lack of goalline technology is a shame? Well, I totally agree. It is a shame. Yes, it is, yes. I think yesterday they asked me about the referee and I said I hope he goes unnoticed and gets it right. Well, neither of those things... A shame. If we want to be the best League in the world, we have to move forward and implement technology."

Lamine Yamal's goal was chalked off for Barca by the VAR due to thelack of goal-line technology. The ball appeared to cross Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin's goal line but the absence of technology meant that VAR sided with on-field call of no goal.

Apart from Yamal's disallowed goal, Barca players also protested the penalty offered to Madrid after Lucas Vazquez went down in the box under a challenge from Pau Cubarsi.

Xavi's feud with referees

Notably, Xavi has been fuming with the referees ever since Barca crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after a stinging defeat against Paris Saint-Germain at home.

Xavi was particularly angry about the red card shown to defender Ronald Araujo in the 29th minute when Barcelona were leading the tie with a two-goal margin.

"We are annoyed. The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it's too much to send [Araujo] off there," said Xavi.

"The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don't like speaking about referees but it has to be said."

Xavi will be stepping down as the Barcelona manager at the end of the season. The only chance for him to have a trophy in his final dance now lies in La Liga where Barcelona now trail Madrid by nine points.

(With inputs from agencies)