Former LaLiga referee Mateu Lahoz has publicly admitted to making a crucial mistake that played a major role in Barcelona losing the 2013-14 league title to Atletico Madrid.
Lahoz officiated the dramatic season finale at the Camp Nou, where Barcelona needed a win to overtake Atletico, who led the league by just three points. During the match, Lionel Messi found the back of the net, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside.
At the time, there was no VAR, meaning Lahoz’s decision was final. However, replays later showed that the ball had actually come to Messi from Atletico’s Juanfran Torres, not from Cesc Fàbregas, which meant the goal should have stood.
Years later, Lahoz has admitted his critical mistake, as reported by Barça Blaugranes:
“I made a mistake. There was a play that we were able to see later that Juanfran didn’t touch, but from my position, it was impossible to tell if Cesc had touched it. I would have bet my 20 fingers that Cesc had touched that ball. That play was about team synergy, and I’m the only one responsible.”
With the match ending in a 1-1 draw, Atletico Madrid were crowned LaLiga champions, securing their first league title in 18 years under Diego Simeone. Had Messi’s goal stood, Barcelona could have won the title instead.
Lahoz’s admission comes years too late for Barcelona fans, but it adds another layer to one of the most controversial refereeing decisions in recent LaLiga history.
