"VAR was poorly managed" - Joan Laporta demands Barcelona rematch vs Real Madrid if ruled out goal is confirmed legal
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has demanded a rematch against Real Madrid if Lamine Yamal's goal is confirmed to have been incorrectly ruled out.
The Blaugrana suffered a 3-2 loss to Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last night (April 21). They went ahead twice on the night but Jude Bellingham popped up with a 90+1st minute to almost certainly end the visitors' title hopes.
However, Barcelona felt they should have been awarded a goal in the 28th minute when Yamal struck. The ball appeared to cross the line before Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin pushed it away.
VAR reviewed the alleged goal but determined that the ball hadn't fully crossed the line. This ultimately played a significant role in the outcome of the game and potentially this season's La Liga title race.
Laporta discussed the situation and he's waiting on footage provided by the Royal Spanish Football Federation of the goal. The Blaugrana president was adamant that he wasn't ruling out taking such action as demanding a rematch (via El Chiringuito TV):
"The VAR was poorly managed. If it is confirmed that Lamine's goal was legal, we will ask for a rematch."
Barcelona took the lead in the sixth minute through Andreas Christensen but Vinicius Junior equalized from the spot 12 minutes later. Barca went ahead once again through Fermin Lopez in the 69th minute.
However, Lucas Vazquez quickly leveled matters four minutes later and Bellingham sealed all three points for Real Madrid at the death. It means Carlo Ancelotti's men are 11 points clear of their El Clasico rivals with six games left.
Barcelona boss Xavi vents his frustrations with La Liga's lack of goal-line technology after Real Madrid drama
Xavi was fuming after Barcelona's defeat to Real Madrid and let loose at La Liga's decision not to implement goal-line technology. He said (via TNT Sports):
"It's embarrassing that there is not goal-line technology. If we want to say this is the best league in the world, we need it. Everyone has seen it. What can I say? [The league] can sanction me. The images are there. The feeling today is of complete injustice."
El Larguero reported ahead of the ongoing season that La Liga would remain the only top European league without goal-line technology. La Liga president Javier Tebas was unwilling to pay £2.6 million ($3.2 million) to implement the technology.
Several different angles give differing views of Yamal's canceled goal. The controversy has marred an El Clasico classic which looks to have ensured Madrid dethrone Barca.