Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique is adamant that referees are facing too much scrutiny over their decisions after the Nou Camp outfit's 1-1 draw with Valencia.

The Catalan giants were lucky to have 11 players on the pitch during their Copa del Rey first-leg semi-final encounter when custodian Jose Manuel Pinto escaped a sending-off after handling the ball outside the penalty box in the 18^th minute when Valencia forward Roberto Soldado bore down on goal.

As Los Che vigorously protested the decision of the referee who chose not to dismiss veteran goalie Pinto, Barca central defender Pique has slammed the furore surrounding referees' decisions.

 "We are putting more importance on the referees than we are on the player. We're turning this into a circus," the 24-year-old told AS.com.

"We dominated the match, they were strong in defence but it is always difficult to win here. We had our chances, but it is a good result to take back [to Camp Nou]." 

While Pique did not comment directly on Pinto's gaffe, Barca tactician Pep Guardiola maintained that the complexion of the tie would have changed completely had his goalkeeper seen red.

"I have been told he handed the ball outside the area," Guardiola was quoted as saying on the club's offical website.

"If you have 10 men, of course it changes the match."

Former Manchester United player Pique went on to address their next league match against Real Sociedad on Saturday.

"It is a late kick-off, so we will suffer because of the cold."