FC Barcelona manager Xavi hit out at referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after his team drew 1-1 against local rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby at the Camp Nou on Saturday.
Xavi claimed that the referee “lost control” of the game, going on to call out the match official’s decision to award a 73rd-minute penalty to Espanyol which saw Joselu level after Marcos Alonso’s 7th-minute opener.
“The game got away from him today,” Xavi claimed during a post-match news conference. “He was giving out cards without any reason and lost control of the match. But it’s not his fault we drew, it’s our fault we dropped points.”
Upon being pressed about what he said to Lahoz following the full-time whistle, Xavi revealed that he told the referee that he lost control of the match. The Barca coach went on to state his belief that officials should come out and speak to the players and manager to explain the decisions they make on the pitch.
Lahoz handed out 15 yellow cards during the game as well as two red cards to Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba and Espanyol midfielder Vinicius Souza.
Barce next faces Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.
