La Liga's Refusal To Use Goal-Line Technology Comes Back To Haunt Barcelona

Real Madrid’s mini-crisis heading into the weekend was completely reversed in a matter of hours. First, Barcelona travelled to Sevilla to play Real Betis. In a match that Barca were heavy favorites in, they found themselves trailing 1-0 in the 79th minute. 

Then, after Neymar had been dragged down in the box with no foul given, a Betis defender sent the ball into his own goal. It clearly crossed the line, but a desperate clearance from inside the net was adjudged to have prevented the goal by the referee.

WOW.. @FCBarcelona should be level. Ball is OVER THE LINE, and by some way. #LaLiga https://t.co/FIOMs0VEFt

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 29, 2017

Luis Suarez managed to score the equalizer in the 90th minute, but a point was of little consolation for the club. La Liga is the only major European league to not use goal-line technology, a decision that was made based on the expense of implementing it. 

“I do not have anything to say, but do not tell me what it looks like, I’ve seen the photo,” said Barcelona manager Luis Enrique. “Technology can help, I’ve already said it. It’s clear that the referees need help.”

“You can see that the ball does go over the line,” said Aleix Vidal. “It’s a really big mistake, but the fault doesn’t lie with the referees. If goal-line technology was used, this wouldn’t happen.”

Later in the day, Espanyol thumped Sevilla 3-1 after Sevilla had Nicolas Pareja sent off in the second minute after conceding a penalty.

Real Madrid approached the late kick off against Real Sociedad with the knowledge that a win would take them four points clear at the top with a game in hand. 

Mateo Kovacic and Cristiano Ronaldo made it 2-0 by the 51st minute. Inigo Martinez was sent off in the 74th for Sociedad, and Alvaro Morata added the third in the 82nd.

GOAAAAAL! @AlvaroMorata makes it 3-0 for @realmadrid What a play! https://t.co/8XTRpPwr2r

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 29, 2017

Real Madrid face a difficult trip to play Celta Vigo next Sunday, but they’ve also been granted a bit of breathing room after the weekend's incredible events. You could be forgiven for assuming that La Liga, like everyone else, had already implemented goal-line technology. But it appears as though, for the sake of keeping more money in the coffers of the league, an easily avoidable mistake has made a big difference in this year’s La Liga title race.