IN SPORT.ES
Ronald Koeman was really angry with the refereeing performance of Gil Manzano in Barcelona 2-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos helped Madrid into a two-goal lead before Oscar Mingueza gave Barça hope of a comeback.
In a frantic finale, Casemiro was sent off for two bookings and Ilaix Moriba hit the bar, but not before Ferland Mendy's challenge on Martin Braithwaite wasn't deemed a penalty.
Asked if the refereeing had swayed the result, Koeman assured that "if you're a Barca fan you're angry; you're not happy with some of the referee's decisions. First of all, I just want to say that in the first half we weren't good, attacking or defending. In the second half, we improved.
"I only ask that referees get decisions right. It's a penalty and then, after that, to only add four minutes of stoppage time when the referee had spent three minutes [fixing a communication] issue with the VAR... But the penalty is crystal clear. There is a referee, a linesman, VAR..."
Koeman added that "Barça didn't lose because of the refereeing, I don't want to go so far. The first half wasn't good. The team's level wasn't what it has been. We left space for their counter-attacks. But yes, there are moments in the game, in my opinion, such as the penalty issue, it's clear, so clear. Everyone has seen it. That's why we have VAR, for situations like this, to help the referees."
Pressed on the decision more, Koeman said it was "best not to say anything else. I have said what I wanted to say, always defending my team and my club. I don't want to speak about it anymore."