'Let us compete!' - Xavi blasts at referees yet again after Vitor Roque gets bizarre red card - and a goal - in insane 13-minute cameo for Barcelona

The Barcelona manager, who had earlier alleged that referees in La Liga unfairly favour Real Madrid, slammed the match officials again after Vitor Roque was sent off in a bizarre red card incident against Alaves on Saturday. The Brazilian came on as a substitute in the 59th minute before scoring his team's third goal. But his time on the pitch was shortened after he picked up a double booking within a span of five minutes and had to leave the pitch. Xavi was left furious after the game as he further claimed that the Catalan giants are being punished for the Caso Negreira scandal.

At the post-match press conference, the manager said, "I don't need to say anything. We are paying for the Negreira case, that's the reality. That's what I feel. The only thing I ask is that they let us compete, that's all I ask. I'm never going to talk about referees again."

The Blaugrana picked up a much-needed win on Saturday as Robert Lewandowski, Ilker Gundogan and Vitor Roque found the back of the net. Samu Omorodion scored the consolation goal for his club. The win helped the club to reduce their gap with league leaders Real Madrid to seven points, although they have played a game more.

Xavi's side are set to face Granada and Celta Vigo in their next two La Liga fixtures respectively before they return to the Champions League, where they take on reigning Italian champions Napoli in the first leg of their round of 16 clash on February 21.