Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has claimed that match referee Jair Marrufo 'insulted him strongly three times' during Saturday night's El Clasico at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Gerard Pique scored the winner during the pre-season friendly as Barca recorded a 3-2 victory over Spanish rivals Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup.
During the second period, Rakitic was seen to be exchanging words with referee Marrufo, and the Croatian has claimed that the match official 'insulted him' on three separate occasions.
"People who know me are aware that it is difficult to wind me up but the referee did," Rakitic told reporters. "He insulted me quite strongly three times. I usually have a lot of respect for them but when they don't show it to me, then I don't like it."
Barcelona will now return to Spain as they prepare to face Brazilian outfit Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 7.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
