Josep Maria Bartomeu blames Barcelona's 2014 title failings on referee
Josep Maria Bartomeu, former president of FC Barcelona and a candidate to return to the role in the July 18 elections, has said at an event in Tarragona that the referee in the final game of the season was decisive in Barça's failure to win the league in the 2013-14 season: "The referee wouldn't let us win the league in 2013-14."
FC Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou in the final game of the domestic season. The league title was in play. With Real Madrid ruled out following a defeat in Vigo, Barça and Atleti were scrapping for the league. Three points separated the sides, but a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon earlier in the season opened the door for Barça.
A victory for the Catalans would have meant the championship and the home fans were made to suffer until the very end. Alexis Sanchez gave Barça the lead with a missile which beat Thibaut Courtois. But Diego Godin, at the start of the second half, sealed the draw with a header, which also sealed the title.
With the score level, the referee ruled out a Lionel Messi goal and refused to give Gerard Pique what looked like a penalty. They were actions which angered the stadium at the time; actions which Josep Maria Bartomeu has seemingly not forgot.
