Hector Bellerin asks referee to allow Lo Celso wondergoal ‘for the good of football’
The Betis defender appealed to the referee after his team-mate's spectacular finish came under review against Barcelona.
Hector Bellerin offered an unusual argument for allowing Giovani Lo Celso’s spectacular strike against Barcelona: a goal that good deserved to count.
REFCAM footage captured the Real Betis defender’s appeal to referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during Saturday’s La Liga meeting.
Lo Celso had struck a stunning left-footed volley on the turn from outside the penalty area, finding the top corner shortly before half-time. The finish would have brought Betis level at 2-2.
Barcelona’s players immediately appealed for a handball by Cucho Hernandez earlier in the move, with Pedri among those making their case to the referee.
Bellerin approached with a different consideration, focusing on the quality of his team-mate’s finish.
“Just for the goal he scored, it should count. For the good of football,” he said, translated from Spanish.
The footage also captures the referee explaining that he initially considered the hand position natural as the incident came under review.
Bellerin’s appeal ultimately proved unsuccessful. The goal was disallowed for the handball in the build-up, leaving Barcelona ahead at the break.
Barcelona went on to win 5-2 at La Cartuja, with Lo Celso’s finish excluded from the seven-goal scoreline.
