Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and manager Xavi Hernandez slammed the "embarrassing" lack of goal-line technology in Spain after Sunday's 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in El Clásico.
LaLiga is one of the few top-flight leagues in Europe not to implement the technology, meaning it was left to VAR to rule that Andriy Lunin had kept out Lamine Yamal's strike from crossing the line at 1-1 in the first half at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Madrid went on to win an enthralling game, with Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time winner moving them 11 points clear of Barça at the top of the table with just six games left.
"I can't find the words to explain what happened on the goal line," Ter Stegen told reporters. "It's embarrassing for football. There is a lot of money in this industry, but not for what is important.
"I don't understand how there cannot be money to implement the technology that other leagues have."
Xavi echoed Ter Stegen's comments, describing the loss to Madrid -- the Blaugrana's third El Clásico defeat of the season -- as a massive injustice.
"I completely agree [with Ter Stegen]," Xavi said in a postgame news conference. "It's embarrassing that there is not goal-line technology. If we want to say this is the best league in the world, we need it.
"Everyone has seen it. What can I say? [The league] can sanction me. The images are there. The feeling today is of complete injustice."
"I said before the match that I hoped the referee would go unnoticed and get the decisions right," he continued. "In the end, neither of the two have happened."
Xavi Hernandez complains to the referee during Barcelona's loss to Real Madrid in LaLiga.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas had responded earlier to criticism of the lack of goal-line technology by posting news stories of when it had gone wrong in other leagues on social media.
The night had started well for Barça, with Andreas Christensen heading them into a sixth-minute lead.
Vinícius Júnior drew Madrid level from the penalty spot after Pau Cubarsí was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vázquez, but Barça took the lead again with 20 minutes to play through substitute Fermín López.
Vázquez drew Madrid level for a second time, though, before Bellingham's late winner effectively clinched the league title for Los Blancos.
"I am proud of the team, especially in the second half," Xavi added. "We tried. We were good, but mistakes have cost us the defeat.
"Normally, based on how the game went, we win. We deserved the victory. We created more and defended well. We controlled the game."
The defeat will bring a renewed focus on Xavi's next move. The Barça coach has announced he will step down at the end of the season, but there had been a growing clamour for him to stay before this week's Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain and the loss to Madrid.
"It's not the moment," Xavi said when asked about his future. "We have to digest this defeat and think about Valencia in our next game. There are still six matches to play, and there is work to be done. The objective is to be in the [Spanish] Super Cup again next season [by finishing in the top two].
"LaLiga is 38 games long, and you have to congratulate [Madrid]. They have had just one defeat all season, and the title is practically done now."
Man Utd have been linked with RoqueRoque completed his €61m move to Barcelona in January but the 19-year-old has struggled for game time, seeing just 310 minutes over 13 appearances in all competitions.Amid claims that Barcelona do not believe Roque is good enough to play for the team at this point, Mundo Deportivo report that a number of clubs have been in contact with the Brazilian's entou...
Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso is already attracting big club interest.Cardoso joined Betis in January and has quickly settled in LaLiga.Diario de Sevilla says both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are interested in the USA midfielder.Both giants need a defensive midfielder and Cardoso is considered a good signing both in the short and long term.Real Betis are said to be open to selling Cardoso...
Chelsea want to sign Everton star in the summerChelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to TBR.The Toffees are set to make fine major sell to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules and the Blues want to take advantage of the situation. They are in search of quality goalkeeping options ahe...
Robert Lewandowski has answered questions about his future at Barcelona and the possibility of heading to the United States or Saudi Arabia.Lewandowski quizzed over Barcelona futureContract with Catalans until 2026MLS & Saudi Pro League speculationWHAT HAPPENED?Lewandowski appears committed to the remaining two years on his contract at Barcelona, despite heading toward his 36th birthday. The s...
Jurgen Klopp felt his Liverpool team delivered in terms of performance and result as they put their title heartbreak aside to beat Tottenham 4-2.The Reds’ hopes of winning the Premier League were effectively ended by a series of frustrating results over the past few weeks.But with the pressure off, the Merseysiders were closer to their fluent best as they dealt a blow to Spurs’ top-fou...
Mohamed Salah finally rediscovered his form – unfortunately too late for Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes – as Tottenham were dispatched in an occasionally slapdash 4-2 victory at Anfield.A week ago it was all about the Egyptian off the pitch, with his touchline disagreement with Jurgen Klopp spilling over into his incendiary comment in the mixed zone which did little to ca...
Bromley will play in the English Football League for the first time in their 132-year history after beating Solihull Moors in a Wembley penalty shoot-out.Skipper Byron Webster slotted the decisive spot-kick as Bromley won 4-3 on penalties after 120 minutes of football in the National League play-off final had produced a 2-2 draw.Bromley, who finished the season two places and five points above Sol...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has no interest in monitoring Tottenham’s results after his side’s quest for Champions League qualification was dealt a blow by a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.Villa travelled to the Amex Stadium knowing victory combined with a Spurs loss to Liverpool later in the day would guarantee a fourth-placed finish.But the visitors laboured for large parts of a tight sou...
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. Arteta : Fight Me Bro! Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham Chelsea 5-0 WesthamMarc Cucurella V West Ham Spurs fans aren’t the brightest people Tottenham in the Premier League this season Chelsea after beating West Ham 5-0, moving into 7th and pushing for a Europa League spot lol Please stay tuned on 7M Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit...
Despite their shortcomings this season, Ange Postecoglou has built a strong foundation in North London which is secured at the base by his defence.The signing of Mickey van de Ven last summer was a masterstroke by the Australian manager, with the Dutch defender quickly establishing himself as one of the best in the Premier League.His incredible speed opened up the door for Postecoglou to implement...
- 1 Man United star on the “hunt for new club”
- 2 7M Daily Laugh - Top 3 EPL & week 35
- 3 Chelsea star “waiting to see” options
- 4 Taylor Ward prepared for her third wedding with Riyad Mahrez
- 5 Glamorous footballer Madelene shows off her bum in barely-there bikini
- 6 Advantage Borussia Dortmund after Champions League first-leg win over PSG
- 7 Saudi Arabia make offer for Virgil Van Dijk
- 8 Harry Kane on target but Vinicius Jr brace earns Real Madrid first-leg draw
- 9 Roma boss Daniele De Rossi admits Bayer Leverkusen have the fear factor
- 10 England could block Walker's ex from getting Euro 2024 tickets