Messi denied against Valencia in goal-line controversy

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was denied a goal during the top-of-the-table clash at Valencia in La Liga Sunday despite his shot clearly crossing the line as the lack of goal-line technology in Spain caused controversy again. Messi's tame shot in the 30th minute was spilled by Valencia goalkeeper Neto and bounced over the line before the Brazilian dragged it back over, but neither referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva nor his assistant spotted it. Messi celebrated the goal along with his team mates but play continued and Valencia almost scored as Simone Zaza flashed a shot just wide, narrowly averting more controversy.

Lionel Messi is denied his 1st goal in 6 senior appearances when the officials fail to spot his shot had crossed the line pic.twitter.com/5xl92Ir7DF

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 26, 2017

The game was goalless at halftime, with Barca leading Valencia by four points in the standing. Spain’s top flight is the only one of Europe’s leading five leagues which has so far shunned the use of goal-line technology, much to the frustration of the teams. Last season Barca were not awarded a goal despite television replays showing the ball had crossed the line during a 1-1 draw with Real Betis.

Mad that they don’t have goal-line technology in La Liga. Think they’ll be revisiting the debate after Messi’s goal was ruled not to have crossed the line when it clearly did.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 26, 2017

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced this month that the Video Assistant Referee system would used in the league from the start of next season, joining Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A who are using the technology. VAR involves assistant referees watching the action remotely and then drawing the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes or serious incidents that have been missed. While goal-line technology just determines whether the ball has crossed the line, VAR can also be used for decisions on red cards, penalties and cases of mistaken identity.