What Xavi told referee in four-letter X-rated rant during Barcelona's nervy win

Barcelona boss Xavi unleashed a bizarre X-rated rant at a LaLiga referee during his side's nervy 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Thursday after being enraged by a controversial yellow card given to Sergi Roberto.

The Catalan giants resumed their season this week as they looked to get their title charge back on track following a difficult campaign - and they were nearly given another shock by Las Palmas, who took the lead early on through Munir El Haddadi.

Barca had to wait until the second half before finding the equaliser through Ferran Torres. But in stoppage time Las Palmas substitute Daley Sinkgraven denied Ilkay Gundogan a clear goalscoring opportunity in the area as he was sent off and the former Man City man slotted home the resulting penalty.

Xavi will be relieved with the victory that keeps them in third, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, but he lost his temper earlier on in the game after taking issue with referee Gonzalez Fuertes booking Roberto.

Around the 20th minute, the defender was fuming after Mika Marmol appeared to trip the player without a foul being given. Roberto remonstrated furiously with the referee before being booked for dissent - and then ventured over to the fourth official to unleash his anger too.

And Xavi wasn't too pleased either as he 'protested vigorously' - which led to him being reprimanded, according to Marca, as he slapped himself in the face to demonstrate his frustration.

And the Spaniard is later said to have launched an X-rated rant at the official that he was lucky to avoid punishment for.

Marca claim Xavi, who also kicked a bottle during his anger, told Fuertes 'I f***ing s*** on your mother', a comment which 'should have led to a red card', the outlet says.

Fuertes would go on to