Barca boss Xavi 'saddened' by relegation chants at San Mames

Xavi Hernandez said he was surprised and saddened by the hostility aimed at Barcelona by Athletic Bilbao supporters during his side's 1-0 win at San Mames on Sunday.

Raphinha struck the only goal of the game to restore Barca's nine-point lead at the top of LaLiga as Athletic fans protested following allegations the Catalan club bought favourable treatment from referees.

The home crowd threw bank notes marked with «mafia $» and Barca's badge onto the pitch during in the first half and chanted for Xavi's side to be relegated «to the second division.»

«I respect the fans at San Mames,» Xavi said in his postgame news conference. «They have always treated me well, but I was surprised at the hostile atmosphere towards Barca.

»It was sad to see. [Barca] are being judged before time, which I don't think is good for society. Everyone is free to [air their opinion] and I respect all opinions, whether I agree with them or not, but it made me sad."

Pressed on if he expected the same atmosphere at other upcoming games and if it had an effect on his players, Xavi said: «I don't have anything else to add, [just that] it makes me sad.

»We have not spoken about it in the dressing room with the players. We are here to win and are focused on the football. We are all professionals."

Prosecutors on Friday filed corruption charges against Barcelona following the revelation of payments totaling €7 million to a company owned by the former vice president of the refereeing committee between 2001 and 2018.

Former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, along with ex-referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira are also listed among the defendants.

Barca vehemently deny any wrongdoing and say they have never bought referees or influence and that