The Argentine saw a first-half shot fumbled by Neto and the ballclearly crossed the line, but no goal was given and the Catalanended up with a draw.It is time for La Liga to embrace goal-line technology. Barcelona were
denied a clear goal in the top-of-the-table clash at Mestalla on
Sunday night and had to scrap for a point that may well have been
three if the decision had been different.
Spain's LFP (Professional Football League) president Javier Tebas
has said that goal-line technology is too expensive, but in 2017, can
a league that is widely considered as the world's best afford not to
have it? Surely the answer is no.
Valverde picked a strong side, with Thomas Vermaelen in for a rare
start as Gerard Pique missed out through suspension and Javier
Mascherano sidelined. And the visitors dominated the first half
against Marcelino's men - also unbeaten in La Liga and so
impressive this term.
The Catalans attempted 438 passes in the first 45 minutes, more
than any other half of football in La Liga in 2017-18, and they should
have gone in with a goal to their name as well after Neto spilled
Messi's shot over his line after 30 minutes.
The assistant was in a good position and should have been able to
spot, as many fans and journalists in the stadium did, that the ball
was clearly over. Television replays confirmed that it had and by
some distance, but play was waved on, much to the confusion of
Messi and his team-mates.
Technology, however, would take away the element of doubt in the
minds of the officials. These days a replay can be on our screens
within seconds and it would not slow down the game. That is what
should be happening at the games as well.
It looked like that would be the winner and it was harsh on Barca,
but Jordi Alba rose impressively to fire home a majestic Messi pass
for 1-1 late in the game to salvage a draw which keeps Valencia four
back, but sees Madrid and Atletico only eight behind now after their
wins on Saturday.
"When the ball crosses the line by three metres, a goal has to be
given," Alba said afterwards. "Even from the halfway line you could
see it was over. Incredible. It happened to us last season and it may
be why we lost La Liga then. It's a terrible error."
Indeed, it was Alba's shot at Betis in 2016-17 that clearly crossed
the line but was not given as Barca drew 1-1. Ultimately, they lost La
Liga by three points, but such decisions can have an impact and it is
time for Spain to embrace technology to ensure the competition is as
fair as possible. Because right now, that is not the case.
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