Former La Liga Referee Mateu Lahoz Admits Refereeing Decisions That ‘Harmed’ Barcelona

In a candid revelation made before the Civil Guardia, ex-La Liga official Mateu Lahoz openly acknowledged instances where his refereeing decisions had adverse effects on Barcelona. Lahoz discussed the challenges of judging certain situations, citing specific examples, including a critical mistake that proved costly for the Blaugrana.

The pivotal incident Lahoz highlighted dates back to 2014 when Barcelona was engaged in a closely contested La Liga title race with Atletico Madrid. In the decisive head-to-head clash on May 17, Barcelona required three points to secure the title, while a draw favored Atletico Madrid.

During the 64th minute of the game, with the score tied at 1-1, Lionel Messi scored what seemed to be a valid goal, putting Barcelona ahead 2-1—a result that would have secured the title. However, Lahoz controversially disallowed the goal, flagging for an offside call. The match ultimately ended in a draw, granting Atletico Madrid their first league title in 18 years.

Lahoz reflected on the incident, stating, “If you think Negreira influenced the referees, why would I do it? Would I nullify a valid goal that would give Barca a title? Exactly.” The admission sheds light on the complexities of refereeing decisions and their impact on the outcomes of crucial matches.