Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez: In Madrid, They Have To Sell Papers

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has responded to media suggestions that referees favour Barca in the wake of the Blaugrana's solitary goal against Sporting de Gijon. The goal, scored by Pedro, seemed to be the subject of a missed offside call, but Xavi chose to trivialise the controversy.

Speaking on TV3 programme Hat-trick, the Barca man rubbished the accusation that the Blaugrana are given favourable treatment by referees.

"[In Madrid], they need to sell papers. Pedro's goal was not offside and there was a penalty on Zlatan Ibrahimovic that wasn't called, but no one speaks about that. The truth is that Madrid are five points behind Barca and that is not going down well in the capital."

Xavi called Real Madrid "a strong side", but maintained that Los Blancos "do not have our philosophy, our teamwork, or our style. They do have good players and a good defensive unit. They have signed well and they will fight until the end."