Was FC Barcelona robbed of a goal in the Clasico because there was no goal-line technology? Marc-André ter Stegen and coach Xavi were furious – La Liga president Javier Tebas countered
Marc-André ter Stegen called the late Clasico defeat at Real Madrid on Sunday evening a “heavy blow”. With their arch-rivals now leading La Liga by eleven points thanks to the 3-2 win six matchdays before the end of the season, FC Barcelona will most likely end the season without a title. However, the German international keeper was at least as annoyed about a scene in the first half.
In the 28th minute, with the score at 1-1, Lamine Yamal headed a Raphinha corner towards Real’s goal at the first post and Andriy Lunin cleared the ball – but possibly just behind the goal line. Because there is no goal-line technology in La Liga, a VAR review was carried out – with the result that it could not be resolved with certainty whether the ball had completely crossed the line.
“I’m lost for words,” railed ter Stegen in the face of the fact that the lack of goal-line technology could have cost Barca points in the Clasico. “It’s a disgrace for soccer. Other leagues have it too. So much money is moved around in this world and there’s no money for what’s important.” Coach Xavi also chose the word “disgrace”: “If we want to be the best league in the world, we have to evolve, you have to use technology. “
Counter with screenshots: Tebas apparently still doesn’t think much of goal-line technology
According to Marca, the introduction in the top two Spanish leagues would cost a total of four million euros, but the makers have not yet seen the need. And apparently the Clasico doesn’t seem to be changing that either. In any case, La Liga president Javier Tebas published screenshots of media reports on goal-line technology errors in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 in response to Barca’s criticism and wrote: “No comment.”
From the Bundesliga, the Mainz 4-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld from March 2022 was included, when referee Felix Zwayer incorrectly received the signal via his watch that the ball was in the goal after a header by Moussa Niakhaté. The technical error was immediately corrected via a VAR check. Goal-line technology was introduced in the German top flight in 2015/16, and the company replaced Vieww Hawk-Eye for the 2022/23 season. In Spain, the teams have only had contact with it in the European Cup for years