Former referee shuts down Xavi Hernandez’s complaints about officiating with direct response
Introduction to the article:
This article discusses Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez’s criticism of the refereeing in La Liga, following Real Madrid’s win over Almeria. It also explores the response of former referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez to Xavi’s comments.
Xavi’s Concerns
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez expressed his concerns about the consistency of refereeing in La Liga, pointing out that the same criteria were not being applied across the board. Reports emerged that Xavi had been worried about the refereeing from the very first meeting he had with them, adding fuel to the controversy.
Iturralde’s Response
Former referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez responded to Xavi’s comments, dismissing them as unfortunate and attributing them to a victim narrative. He questioned Xavi on how Barcelona won La Liga last year using the same referees and Referees Committee (CTA), implying that there are no conspiracies at play.
League-Wide Impact
The article concludes by highlighting the record low confidence in officiating in Spain and the narrative of victimhood propagated by both Real Madrid and Barcelona. It emphasizes the sidelining of other teams, such as Almeria, from the discussion, despite feeling the most injured by the situation.
