Barca hit out at referee for no-goal decision

first home win over Barca since 2007.

The Catalans lead the standings on 35 points after 13 games, while Valencia have 31. Atletico Madrid and champions Real Madrid are third and fourth respectively on 27 points.

“In the end, the important thing is that we scored the goal but the referee made a monumental error, even I saw it from the middle of the pitch,” Barca defender Alba told reporters.

“We watched it at halftime and it was clear. It was very clear. You can interpret a foul in a certain way but plays like this have to be seen.”

Spain’s top flight is the only one of Europe’s leading five leagues which has so far shunned the use of goal-line technology, much to the frustration of the teams.

Last season Barca were not awarded a goal despite television replays showing the ball had crossed the line during a 1-1 draw with Real Betis.

The Spanish soccer federation announced this month that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system would be used in the league from the start of next season.

VAR involves assistant referees watching the action remotely and then drawing the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes or serious incidents that have been missed.

While goal-line technology just determines whether the ball has crossed the line, VAR can also be used for decisions on red cards, penalties and cases of mistaken identity.

“There will be a lot of things that VARs can’t clear up, but I hope that they can help with things like today’s,” Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said.

“It’s an evolution which we need. It’s something we need. And not just for this goal.”