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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Ancelotti hits back at Xavi and Laporta</li><li>Barca duo claimed referees favour Real Madrid</li><li>Currently 10 points behind La Liga leaders</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Unprofessional!' Carlo Ancelotti refuses to stoop to Xavi and Joan Laporta's level as Real Madrid coach takes aim at Barcelona pair over referee comments

Earlier this week, both the Barcelona president and the manager had claimed that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-xavi-rages-controversial-jude-bellingham-penalty-real-madrid-almeria-robbed-la-liga/blt0732cfd938950e4b" target="_blank">referees in La Liga favour Real Madrid</a>. Xavi even alleged that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/xavi-rages-refereeing-decisions-barcelona-coach-claims-officials-real-madrid/blt33cb5f7c0e6dbb96#cs51a081ba5ca6c869" target="_blank">Los Blancos create pressure on the match officials</a> through theirTV channel. Now, Madrid boss Ancelotti has hit back at the allegations by suggesting he will not stoop down to the level of the Barcelona duo out of respect for Spanish football.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to reporters, the Italian manager said": "I think I am a professional and as a professional I do not want to go down to this level out of respect for Spanish football. Don't ask me more about this because I don't want to go down to a level that is not for professionals."

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

The Catalan giants are under immense pressure at the moment as they find themselves 10 points behind league leaders Madrid and eight behind second-placed Girona. Last month they failed to defend the Supercopa de Espana title after suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat in the Clasico and then were knocked out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Athletic Club 4-2 in the quarter-final.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Xavi's side picked up a 3-1 win against Alaves and on Saturday to reduce their gap with the top two teams in the league. Ancelotti's men, meanwhile, will attempt to restore that 10-point lead when they take on Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

'Unprofessional!' Carlo Ancelotti refuses to stoop to Xavi and Joan Laporta's level as Real Madrid coach takes aim at Barcelona pair over referee comments | Goal.com Australia

Carlo Ancelotti hit back at Barcelona president Joan Laporta and manager Xavi after the duo alleged referees favour Real Madrid.

&apos;Unprofessional!&apos; Carlo Ancelotti refuses to stoop to Xavi and Joan Laporta&apos;s level as Real Madrid coach takes aim at Barcelona pair over referee comments