Messi 'goal' for Barcelona at Valencia counted by Betfair

Bookmakers Betfair España say they are counting Lionel Messi's 'goal' for Barcelona at Valencia on Sunday night, and are to pay out to all bettors who backed the Argentine to score in a Blaugrana victory.

Valencia-Barcelona: LaLiga draw sees 'ghost goal' controversy

In the 29th minute of the LaLiga match, referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva failed to give a goal despite Valencia keeper Neto fumbling Messi's shot over his line.

The top-of-the-table clash at Mestalla went on to finish 1-1, with a late equaliser by Jordi Alba cancelling out Rodrigo Moreno's second-half opener for Valencia.

Betfair: "Messi's shot crossed the line..."

"Messi's shot crossed the line," Betfair España tweeted on Monday. "That's why we are considering any bets for an FC Barcelona win, with Messi as a scorer - if placed before the incident in question - to have been successful."

"Betfair will not only pay out to those who betted on a draw; customers who betted on a Barcelona victory will receive their reward too," a statement also read.

Betfair to pay out on Messi and Moreno as first scorer

The company has additionally confirmed that it will be honouring all bets that predicted either Messi or Moreno as the game's first scorer.