|
|
Valencia striker Roberto Soldado: The comments from Barcelona president Sandro Rosell likely influenced the referee
The Spain international claimed that Jose Manuel Pinto was guilty of a clear hand ball and accused referee Jose Luis Gonzalez of not having the 'courage' to blow his whistle
2 Feb 2012 16:41:00
By Mark Doyle
Roberto Soldado - Valencia
Valencia forward Roberto Soldado believes that comments made by Barcelona president Sandro Rosell about match officials before Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg influenced the performance of the referee during the game at Mestalla.
Rosell had claimed that the Catalans had seen a number of big decisions go against them so far this season and expressed his hope that things would even themselves out during the remainder of the campaign.
Barca enjoyed a massive stroke of luck 18 minutes into their 1-1 draw with Los Che when referee Jose Luis Gonzalez failed to spot that the visitors' goalkeeper, Jose Manuel Pinto, had handled the ball outside the area.
Soldado has now claimed that Pinto's offence was clear and suggested that the match official had elected to give the Barca man the benefit of the doubt because of Rosell's outburst.
"Here when our president speaks and complains about referees it is not taken into account," the striker is quoted as saying by Marca.
"But it would not surprise me if the words of Rosell influenced the referee's decision not to whistle for the hand ball.
"It's a very clear hand ball that has been able to affect the game. It was in front of the referee and he did not have the courage to whistle."
With Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol having cancelled out Jonas' 27th-minute opener, the tie is now delicately poised ahead of next Wednesday's second leg at Camp Nou.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Rosell had claimed that the Catalans had seen a number of big decisions go against them so far this season and expressed his hope that things would even themselves out during the remainder of the campaign.
Barca enjoyed a massive stroke of luck 18 minutes into their 1-1 draw with Los Che when referee Jose Luis Gonzalez failed to spot that the visitors' goalkeeper, Jose Manuel Pinto, had handled the ball outside the area.
Soldado has now claimed that Pinto's offence was clear and suggested that the match official had elected to give the Barca man the benefit of the doubt because of Rosell's outburst.
"Here when our president speaks and complains about referees it is not taken into account," the striker is quoted as saying by Marca.
"But it would not surprise me if the words of Rosell influenced the referee's decision not to whistle for the hand ball.
"It's a very clear hand ball that has been able to affect the game. It was in front of the referee and he did not have the courage to whistle."
With Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol having cancelled out Jonas' 27th-minute opener, the tie is now delicately poised ahead of next Wednesday's second leg at Camp Nou.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
21:12 BST
Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
21:03 BST
As promised, here is the match report on Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland.
21:00 BST
And here's more from Roy Hodgson on the injury concerns in the England squad.
20:55 BST
And so the awful Europop music blares out in Amsterdam after Northern Ireland's worst defeat in a very long time. Netherlands are looking dangerous ahead of Euro 2012, but they won't face many teams as bad as today.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
