Manuel Llorente feels Jose Pinto should have been punished for a clear infringement during Valencia’s Copa del Rey clash with Barcelona.
Barca goalkeeper Pinto appeared to handle the ball outside the area during Valencia’s 1-1 draw in Wednesday’s semi-final first leg at Estadio Mestalla.
Valencia President Llorente said he did not wish to criticise referee Jose Luis Gonzalez, but struggled not to highlight the potentially decisive oversight.
“Pinto’s handball is very clear,” Llorente was quoted as saying by AS.
“All 49,000 spectators at the stadium witnessed it. He was the last player, it was blatant.”
“It is clear that we should talk about referees, as there were incidents that shaped the game a little, but we will not talk about officials, unlike some other teams who do so all week,” he added, with a veiled reference to Valencia’s rival clubs.
“Us third parties do not speak, and they (the referees) do not speak.”
Refereeing decisions aside, Llorente was happy with Valencia’s efforts, and believes they have a chance of reaching the final if they can produce a similar performance in the return fixture at Camp Nou on February 8.
“I am satisfied with the match, both teams played their skins out,” he said.
“The tie remains open, but judging by the intensity we showed, we have a chance (of reaching the final).”
