Barcelona coach will not be punished after ‘penalty comments’ to the camera during Villarreal defeat

The Barcelona – Villarreal game was perhaps the most consequential game for the Catalans this season.

The disappointing 5-3 defeat meant that Barça now have minimal chance of competing for the league title. Most importantly, the result convinced Xavi Hernandez to announce his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.

Xavi was indeed the epicentre of the Villarreal game, but not only because of his announcement later in the game.

The Barcelona coach came into the spotlight during the late stages of the game when he was frustrated with the referee Munuera Montero’s decision to annul a penalty after a VAR check.

Xavi did not bite his tongue and went straight to the broadcast camera to shout, “Shame! shame!”

Xavi not liable to be punished

Many expected Xavi’s comments in the game to have consequences, especially given that the coach had already been booked by the referee.

But according to a report from MARCA (h/t FCB World), Xavi will not be booked by the authorities for his comments in the Villarreal game.

The referees consider his speech to be inappropriate. However, since Xavi does not single out any individual or group, the Central Jury will not issue any penalty against the Barcelona coach.

This is not the first time Xavi has come under fire for his comments or actions on the touchline. The coach was previously reprimanded multiple times for showing his anger and frustrations towards referees and VAR.

This is certainly not the last time Xavi will come under fire either. However, after announcing his departure at the end of the season, it remains to be seen whether or not the Spaniard will retain a similar level of dynamism on the touchlines.