Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez avoids punishment for calling La Liga 'adulterated' in wake of Real Madrid controversy

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Barcelona's trip to Alaves on Friday, Xavi Hernandez echoed club president Joan Laporta's sentiments that La Liga is “adulterated” – the remarks were in response to Real Madrid's controversial 3-2 win over Almeria the previous weekend.

Xavi's (and Laporta's) remarks have angered many, especially those involved with Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti took a thinly veiled dig at the pair in his own press conference, although he declined to comment.

Ace for La SER (via AS Diary), Xavi will not be punished by the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation for this matter. The report explains that only serious and direct accusations against the honor of a specific referee are sanctioned, and because the 44th year referred to the competition as a whole, it will not be punished by the Federation.

It means that Xavi will be in the dugout for of Barcelona upcoming matches in La Liga, which they hope to use to close the gap between Real Madrid and Girona in front of them in the table.