Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez complained on Friday that rivals Actual Madrid affect referees “each week” and mentioned it meant La Liga was “fully rigged”.
Los Blancos lead La Liga by two factors forward of Girona and are ten forward of champions Barcelona, in fourth place.
Actual Madrid's tv channel has broadcast hours of controversial content material attacking referees this season.
“I don't like that they affect referees they usually do that each week. I believe it distorts the competitors a bit,” Xavi, who will go away Barcelona on the finish of the season, instructed a information convention.
Barcelona and a variety of the membership's former administrators had been charged with bribery final yr following funds to a former Spanish referee chief, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
The Catalan membership denies that their funds of greater than seven million euros ($7.5 million) had been an try and affect the referees.
“The Negreira subject didn't assist us in any respect, and that's the fact – and that is how we’ve got to compete,” Xavi continued.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta mentioned earlier Friday that the content material of Actual Madrid's tv was “embarrassing” and that the membership was not “behaving correctly”.
Laporta criticized the referees of a current Madrid match in opposition to Almeria, the place Carlo Ancelotti's facet misplaced 2-0 however gained 3-2, with three controversial VAR choices going their approach.
“We noticed a shame within the match in opposition to Almeria,” Laporta instructed radio station RAC1.
“And they’re going to say that the referees are serving to Barca. We’re very offended and we don't settle for it.”
Xavi mentioned he was shocked that Madrid was allowed to proceed exhibiting movies of officers being attacked.
“I’m very stunned that we permit this, that it’s allowed,” mentioned the coach.
“It fully distorts the competitors, week after week – even blind individuals can see it.
“(Atletico coach) Diego Simeone mentioned it, didn't he? We’re not silly. The world sees it.”
Simeone was requested about VAR audio clips from Madrid's match in opposition to Almeria final week and mentioned the officers “suppose we’re silly, and that makes us offended”.
Madrid coach Ancelotti mentioned he thought the referees made the proper choices at each level in his workforce's victory over Almeria.
Barcelona go to Alaves on Saturday, whereas Actual Madrid host third-place Atletico Madrid in a derby conflict on Sunday.
