In a post-match press conference following Barcelona's victory over Betis, coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing in La Liga. This sentiment comes after Real Madrid's controversial win over Almeria, which was marred by contentious decisions and the use of VAR.

Xavi spoke candidly about his concerns, stating that winning the league this year will be an arduous task. He referenced the words of Garitano, another prominent figure in the footballing world, as well as journalist Alfredo Relaño, who have both expressed criticism of the refereeing standards in La Liga.

The Barcelona coach pointed out specific incidents that he felt had gone against his team, claiming that they would have gained an additional six points if the decisions had been made correctly. He highlighted the penalty incident in the Getafe game, a crucial goal disallowed in the Vallecas match, and a contentious goal by Joao Félix in the clash against Granada.

Despite Barcelona's recent victory, Xavi's side remains seven points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid after playing 20 games.

The coach's comments reflect a growing concern among several teams in the league regarding the consistency and quality of refereeing decisions. The use of VAR has also come under scrutiny, with many believing it has failed to address the controversial decisions adequately.

As the race for the La Liga title heats up, teams and fans alike will be watching closely to see if there will be any improvement in the refereeing standards and the implementation of VAR to ensure a fair and level playing field.