Barcelona President Slams ‘Scandalous’ Refereeing in Getafe Draw

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona president Joan Laporta has condemned the refereeing in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Getafe as “an absolute disgrace,” particularly criticizing the decision not to award a penalty after Jules Koundé was brought down in the box.

The incident occurred in the 81st minute when Koundé attempted to reach a cross at the far post but was fouled by a Getafe defender. Neither the referee nor the VAR intervened, leaving Laporta furious. “Not giving a penalty for the foul on Koundé is a scandal. A scandal,” Laporta said during a press conference on Monday. “I think you should watch it back again and again because it’s scandalous.”

Laporta also referenced a similar incident in Real Madrid‘s match against Getafe in December, where a penalty was awarded in Madrid’s favor. “The inconsistency in refereeing decisions is unacceptable,” he added.

Barcelona’s winless streak in LaLiga has now extended to four games, leaving them seven points behind the league leaders. Despite their struggles in the league, the team has found success in cup competitions, recently winning the Spanish Supercopa and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.

Coach Hansi Flick expressed his frustration with the intensity of the match, stating he had “never experienced anything like” the emotion in the stadium. The game was marked by physical play and heated exchanges, both on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to focus on securing the futures of its young stars. Defender Alejandro Balde recently signed a new contract, and midfielders Pedri and Gavi are reportedly close to finalizing extensions. A source told ESPN that Pedri’s deal could be announced by February.

In other news, Barcelona is preparing for a crucial Champions League match against Napoli on Tuesday. A win would secure their place in the round of 16, bypassing the knockout stage.

The fallout from the Getafe match extended beyond the pitch, with Getafe coach José Bordalás receiving a barrage of abusive messages on social media. Threats and insults, including “we’ll kill you and your family” and “we’ll find your kids,” were directed at Bordalás following the game. Such incidents highlight the growing issue of online harassment in sports.

Barcelona’s sporting director, Quique Cárcel, also addressed transfer rumors, confirming interest in re-signing a defender who was on loan at Montilivi last season. “We wanted to sign him in the summer, and our intention is to try and bring him in again,” Cárcel told DAZN. “But it depends on Barça’s conditions being realistic for us.”