Pellegrini blasts ‘lamentable’ referee after Betis collapse against Barcelona

Pellegrini says Yamal provoked Bernal red card in 5-2 loss

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was unhappy with the officiating after his side were beaten 5-2 by Barcelona on Saturday, with Facundo Bernal sent off for clashing and headbutting Lamine Yamal.

Pellegrini felt the Barcelona star provoked the confrontation between the pair and hit out at several other decisions that went against his team.

"The truth is, I thought the referee’s performance was lamentable, lacking any footballing sense. His decisions conditioned the match. Lamine scored a great goal, we had the equalizer and almost the goal that would have put us ahead," Pellegrini said.

The Betis boss also disputed a disallowed goal and a late Barcelona strike.

"The goal that was disallowed was a handball because Cucho was pushed, and besides, it didn’t affect the goal... Then, in the other goal, the Barcelona player’s foot was at head height, and it was a goal."

On the sending-off that swung the game, Pellegrini added:

"And what decided the match was the sending-off: Lamine provoked it, and the other player retaliated. Neither of them committed a foul; both were called over, and both were shown cards. That was the end of the game. We had a very good performance. I won’t give my opinion; the images speak for themselves."

The victory extends Barcelona’s perfect start to the season and keeps them top of La Liga, while Real Betis have suffered just their second defeat of the campaign so far.