Barcelona president candidate rejects refereeing controversy
Laporta fires back at Real Madrid complaints after Osasuna defeat
Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta dismissed Real Madrid complaints after VAR penalty in their 2-1 loss to Osasuna.
Laporta responds to refereeing debate
Joan Laporta has reacted strongly to criticism from Real Madrid supporters following their 2-1 defeat to Osasuna.
Speaking before entering Camp Nou to watch Barcelona face Levante, Laporta addressed the controversy around the penalty awarded against Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Laporta said the decision was clear and confirmed by VAR adding that Real Madrid had benefited from many similar penalties in the past.
What happened in Pamplona
Osasuna took the lead in the 34 minute after VAR review showed Courtois stepping on Ante Budimir. The referee canceled yellow card shown to Osasuna player for simulation and awarded penalty which Budimir converted calmly.
Real Madrid equalized in the 73 minute when Federico Valverde crossed from the left and Vinicius Junior scored from close range.
As Madrid pushed for late winner, a mistake proved costly. Substitute Dani Ceballos lost the ball allowing Raul Moro to find Garcia del Arco, who beat Raul Asencio and fired into the top corner to seal the win.
“They have no right to complain”
Laporta was firm in his verdict. He said the Osasuna goal was not offside and pointed out that Madrid were not awarded penalty for simulation on this occasion. “I see no problem” he stated adding that Madrid “have no right to complain.”
Laporta also described watching the Madrid match from his campaign headquarters where hundreds gathered around screen.
He said the result showed that there are no easy games noting Osasuna’s steady improvement and warning that Barcelona’s match against Levante would also be difficult.