Lionel Messi foment the biggest controversial refereeing decision of the season by avoiding a red card as Barcelona won the El Clásico against Real Madrid.

The best player in the world (Lionel Messi) looked destined to be sent from the field in the first 45 minutes of the match when he launched into a crass challenge on Xabi Alonso. Referee Fernandez Borbalan who had already booked Messi for dissent minutes earlier, appeared to reach for the yellow card that would have banished the strar from the game.

Messi's reprievement turned into a dramatic clash as Barca recovered from conceding a goal to Karim Benzema in the opening minute and secured a 3-1 Victory.

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Jose Mourinho, Madrid's head coach took a surprisingly calm approach for the decision, as his side surrendered the top spot in La Liga table.

"The Referee was closer and could see better, i think he should have been sent off, but until i see it, i will not talk about it" Mourinho said. His new tactic of resisting the temptation to shoot from the