Sportorn is Designed to Keep You Up-to-Date with Everything You Need to Know About the World of Sport.
⎯ 《 Sportorn • Com 》

Getafe coach hits back at Xavi for referee comments

2023-08-14 21:56
Getafe manager Jose Bordalas has hit back at Xavi Hernandez's comments on the standard of refereeing in La Liga.
Getafe coach hits back at Xavi for referee comments

Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas has hit back at Xavi Hernandez's comments on the standard of refereeing in La Liga.

Xavi was furious in his post-match interview after Barcelona's ill-tempered 0-0 draw with Getafe on Sunday evening - a game which saw three people see red including Xavi, and all 32 fouls committed by both teams - and labelled the refereeing a "shame" for fans of La Liga.

The Barca manager was particularly unhappy with the decision not to award his side a penalty in the final minutes of the game when Ronald Araujo was chopped down in the Getafe penalty area, with a free kick being given the other way due to an earlier handball from Gavi.

"The controversy is very clear," he said. "The product is a shame. With this, it would be normal that people do not want to watch football. This has not been a game. We are upset, it has been a real injustice. For me, it's an absolute shame. It has been a very difficult game to play."

READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Speaking about Xavi post-match comments, Bordalas insisted to Marca that Xavi's conduct was harmful to La Liga and that the Barca boss was being disrespectful to the Getafe players.

“They are opinions, I don’t think Xavi is doing our league a favour when we assume that it is one of the best in the world. The greatness of football has these things, a small team is capable of taking a point from Barcelona," Bordalas hit back.

"I do not share [his opinions] and it is a way of justifying, obviously, that they haven’t achieved the three points with a squad, with incredible players. I don’t share it at all. I don’t think they’re doing our League a favour. We have to defend it.

"I do not share them, I do not agree in any way that the referees are blamed, they have shown us many more cards. I do not think it has benefitted us. The most violent play of the game has been by Barcelona and I have nothing more than say. It’s a way of camouflaging the good game of my players. It wouldn’t occur to me to justify a defeat or a draw with the opponent’s play. It’s a lack of respect."

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the ever-changing Moises Caicedo saga, Harry Kane's move to Bayern Munich and more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as Getafe coach hits back at Xavi for referee comments.