After more than a decade, Barcelona has finally received closure on one of the most controversial refereeing decisions in LaLiga history. Former referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz has admitted that he made a critical mistake in the 2013-14 season finale that ultimately cost the Catalan club the league title.
Lahoz was in charge of the decisive match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on the final day of the season. During the game, he incorrectly ruled out a goal by Lionel Messi, a decision that played a pivotal role in Atletico’s title victory—their first in 18 years under Diego Simeone.
On May 17, 2014, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid faced off at Camp Nou in a high-stakes match that would determine the LaLiga champions. Barcelona, in second place with 86 points, needed a victory to reclaim the league title, while Atletico, sitting at the top with 89 points, only required a draw to be crowned champions.
Barcelona took the lead when Alexis Sánchez struck a powerful shot past the Atletico goalkeeper. However, the visitors responded through Diego Godín, whose towering header brought the game level at 1-1.
The match’s most controversial moment occurred in the 64th minute when Lionel Messi found the back of the net, sparking jubilant celebrations among Barcelona players and fans. But their joy was short-lived as Mateu Lahoz disallowed the goal for offside.
Upon review, replays confirmed that the ball had deflected off Atletico defender Juanfran rather than Cesc Fabregas, as Lahoz and his assistant initially believed. Had the goal been awarded, Barcelona would have been in a strong position to claim the title. Instead, Atletico held on for the draw, securing their first LaLiga championship since 1996.
For years, Barcelona supporters pointed to that disallowed goal as the decisive moment that denied them the title. Now, Lahoz himself has acknowledged the error.
In an interview with Movistar and COPE, the retired referee admitted his mistake, stating, “I was wrong. Looking back, we now know the ball came off Juanfran.”
He elaborated on the decision, explaining that from his perspective, he was convinced that Fabregas had touched the ball. His assistant, who raised the flag for offside, took responsibility, but Lahoz emphasized that, ultimately, it was his call.
“From my position, I could not tell. I would have bet my twenty fingers – hands and feet – that Cesc touched the ball. The assistant took responsibility, but ultimately, it was my decision,” he added.
That crucial misjudgment meant Barcelona never regained momentum, while Atletico Madrid held on to celebrate a historic LaLiga triumph.
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