da spicy bet： Xavi slammed referees again as a bizarre red card incident shortened Vitor Roque's time on the pitch in Barcelona's 3-1 win against Deportivo Alaves.

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Xavi slammed referees againVitor Roque sent off in bizarre incidentBarcelona beat Alaves 3-1WHAT HAPPENED?

The Barcelona manager, who had earlier alleged that referees in La Liga unfairly favour Real Madrid, slammed the match officials again after Vitor Roque was sent off in a bizarre red card incident against Alaves on Saturday. The Brazilian came on as a substitute in the 59th minute before scoring his team's third goal. But his time on the pitch was shortened after he picked up a double booking within a span of five minutes and had to leave the pitch. Xavi was left furious after the game as he further claimed that the Catalan giants are being punished for the Caso Negreira scandal.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT XAVI SAID

At the post-match press conference, the manager said, "I don't need to say anything. We are paying for the Negreira case, that's the reality. That's what I feel. The only thing I ask is that they let us compete, that's all I ask. I'm never going to talk about referees again."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Blaugrana picked up a much-needed win on Saturday as Robert Lewandowski, Ilker Gundogan and Vitor Roque found the back of the net. Samu Omorodion scored the consolation goal for his club. The win helped the club to reduce their gap with league leaders Real Madrid to seven points, although they have played a game more.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Xavi's side are set to face Granada and Celta Vigo in their next two La Liga fixtures respectively before they return to the Champions League, where they take on reigning Italian champions Napoli in the first leg of their round of 16 clash on February 21.