Xavi brands referees 'an embarrassment' after the Getafe-Barcelona game

Following Barcelona’s opening game of the LaLiga season, Xavi openly criticized the refereeing.

The refereeing displayed in Barcelona’s 0-0 draw against Getafe on Sunday left Xavi Hernandez less than impressed.

After the frustrating goalless draw, Xavi slammed the referee, Cesar Soto. He accused him of being too permissive with Getafe and claimed that he “invented” a handball against Gavi to avoid giving Barca a late penalty.

Both teams ended with 10 men after Raphinha and Jaime Mata got sent off. Even Xavi got his marching orders from the dugout.

“If this is the league’s product that we’re selling, it’s an embarrassment. Completely,” Xavi said after the match.

The coach added that the officials allowed Getafe to waste time and interrupt play. This, he claims, created a hostile atmosphere that led to Raphinha’s expulsion. He also criticized the length of stoppage time, which lasted 15 minutes, and called for more accountability from the officials.

Barcelona will play Cadiz in their next LaLiga game this Sunday at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.