Real Betis Coach Criticizes Refereeing After 5-2 Loss to Barcelona

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini voiced his discontent with the officiating after his team suffered a 5-2 defeat against Barcelona in Seville. He specifically pointed out three controversial decisions that he believes negatively affected the outcome of the match.

One notable incident involved a goal by Giovani Lo Celso being disallowed by VAR due to a handball by Cucho Hernandez in the buildup. Additionally, Facundo Bernal received a red card for headbutting Lamine Yamal, while Pellegrini questioned the validity of Barcelona's third goal scored by Gabriel Jesus, which he felt was not adequately reviewed by VAR.

Pellegrini remarked that playing against Barcelona with ten men significantly altered the game's dynamics, especially as Betis was trailing 3-2 at the time of the dismissal. Despite the loss, Barcelona maintained their perfect record, joining the 1968-69 Real Madrid team as the only La Liga clubs to win their first nine matches of the season.