La Liga branded ‘embarrassing’ by Barcelona for lack of goal-line technology in Real Madrid’s controversial El Clásico win

CNN
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Barcelona supervisor Xavi and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen have labeled La Liga “embarrassing” for its lack of goal-line know-how after the staff was denied what it thought was a respectable aim in Sunday’s 3-2 El Clásico defeat by Actual Madrid.

The incident occurred within the twenty eighth minute after Actual Madrid ahead Vinícius Jr. had levelled the scores at 1-1 following Andreas Christensen’s early opening aim on the Bernabéu Stadium within the Spanish capital.

Teenager Lamine Yamal flicked on Raphinha’s nook on the close to publish and appeared to catch out Actual Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who desperately shoveled the ball away from the aim, with Barca gamers claiming it had crossed the road.

Regardless of Barca’s vehement protests referee César Soto’s on-field choice was that the ball had not crossed the road, with the incident then being checked by VAR.

The digicam angles offered by VAR had been inconclusive – together with one wanting immediately down the aim line that was blocked by Lunin’s physique – that means Soto’s unique choice stood.

La Liga is now the one one in every of Europe’s prime 5 leagues that doesn’t have goal-line know-how, with Spanish outlet Cadena Ser reporting in the beginning of the present season that league president Javier Tebas refused to pay the €3 million ($3.2M) it could price to put in the system.

In keeping with FIFA, goal-line know-how can notify a referee inside “a second” if the entire of the ball has crossed the road.

“The system makes use of 14 high-speed cameras mounted on the catwalk of the stadium/below the roof. The info from the cameras is used to create a 3D animation to visualise the choice to the followers on TV and on the enormous display contained in the stadium,” stated FIFA in an explainer of the know-how on its web site.

La Liga didn’t instantly responded to CNN’s request for remark, however Tebas posted screenshots of 4 outdated articles – the newest greater than two years outdated – on X, previously generally known as Twitter, that highlighted errors made by goal-line know-how in varied European leagues with the caption: “No remark.”

Tebas’ publish has been met with a barrage of criticism, whereas in an article for Spanish outlet Diario AS, Lucía Taboada comically likened La Liga’s refusal to undertake goal-line know-how to someone wilfully ignoring the world’s technological developments.

“Think about nonetheless desirous to stay with torches and oil lamps with electrical energy within the constructing,” she wrote. “Or desirous to stay with an an infection whereas having antibiotics readily available. Effectively, that is what occurs in La Liga with aim line know-how.”

Actual Madrid went on to win El Clásico due to a stoppage time aim from Jude Bellingham, opening up an 11-point lead over Barcelona to place one hand on the La Liga trophy.

“I can’t discover the phrases to clarify what occurred on the aim line,” Ter Stegen advised reporters, per ESPN. “It’s embarrassing for soccer. There may be some huge cash on this business, however not for what’s vital.

“I don’t perceive how there can’t be cash to implement the know-how that different leagues have.”

Xavi stated he agreed “fully” along with his goalkeeper.

“It’s embarrassing that there’s not goal-line know-how. If we wish to say that is the very best league on this planet, we want it,” he stated.

“Everybody has seen it. What can I say? [The league] can sanction me. The photographs are there. The sensation in the present day is of full injustice.

“I stated earlier than the match that I hoped the referee would go unnoticed and get the selections proper. Ultimately, neither of the 2 have occurred.”

Actual Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti, unsurprisingly, disagreed with Xavi and Ter Stegen.

“I don’t wish to touch upon what Xavi thinks,” he stated, per Forbes. “Everyone seems to be free [to think what they want]. It was a tough and well-played, high-level match. I don’t suppose the aim was a aim, as a result of there’s no clear picture.”