FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez said that FC Barcelona is “paying” for the Caso Negreira furore following a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday.
The Blaugrana went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan.
Samu Omorodion pulled a consolation back two minutes after the German doubled the visitors’ lead, before Vitor Roque helped Barca retain a comfortable cushion that was enough to seal three points.
Vitor Roque thankfully didn’t become the villain of the night following his red card for a pair of yellows.
Reacting to the bizarre sending off when it appeared as though the Brazilian didn’t even touch a defender he was deemed to have fouled, Xavi said: “It’s another mistake by the referees against us. It’s an injustice. You’ve all seen it.”
“I’m just asking that they let us compete. I’m not going to talk about the referees anymore. Today is another glaring mistake. We are paying for the Negreira case. But I’m not going to talk about the referees. You can see the reality. I don’t say it anymore or you’ll kill me. Another mistake, again,” he added.
Barca was charged for continued corruption in the sporting field last year for paying the former vice president of the Technical Referees Committee over $7.5 million from 2001 to 2018.
The club denies wrongdoing and insists that the payments were made for honest consultation work, with the investigation continuing into 2024.
Xavi praised his new striker, who joined from Athletico Paranaense last month, for his eye for goal, the way he arrives in the box, and the depth he offers.
There were also compliments for right winger Lamine Yamal, who played his part in Vitor Roque’s second strike in two games.
“He’s a beastly talent. [At just] 16 years old. Very few appear in these conditions. How he works, how he helps the full-back,” Xavi said of the prodigy, who is already a starter and “has no ceiling”.
“We’ve made a specific plan with him. He’s a difference maker. We are looking at something special. I highlight how he competes, he doesn’t get tired.
“He does many kilometers at high intensity. He comes back to defend. I am very happy. He’s got defensive humility,” Xavi beamed.
