A 3-2 aggregate loss against Real Madrid hasn’t gone down well in Paris. After the game, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reportedly broke the referee’s equipment, while manager Mauricio Pochettino cried foul play.
Al-Khelaifi could face punishment for his actions post his side’s UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 exit at the hands of Real Madrid. Infuriated by a refereeing decision, he is said to have stormed into the referee’s room after the game, which culminated in him breaking a piece of the assistant’s equipment. The referee’s report details what transpired after the game.
“(Al-Khelaifi) behaved aggressively and tried to enter the referee’s dressing room. When the referee asked them to leave, the president hit a piece of the assistant’s equipment, breaking it,”
it read.
In all likelihood, the decision which had enraged Al-Khelaifi was the awarding of the first goal to Real Madrid. In the build-up to the goal, Karim Benzema barged into Gianluigi Donnarumma after he had dallied with the ball in his feet for too long, resulting in the latter conceding possession inside his box, which led to the opening goal of the game.
PSG sporting director Leonardo raised similar concerns after the game in an interview with Canal+ but claimed the fault lay with his team instead of what was deemed to be poor officiating.
“The decision on Donnarumma is not fair. The foul exists and it is clear. It’s impossible not to consult the VAR. But I’m not looking for excuses. We’ll have to see what we did.”
said the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, manager Pochettino was slightly less introspective. He claimed that the first goal changed the complexion of the game – and it should not have stood.
“I think the first goal changes the game. I wonder what the VAR is doing, for me there is a foul on Donnarumma. It’s a shame because when you see the action again, it’s a foul.
he stated.
Despite the protests, the Parisians exited the competition at the Round-of-16 stage despite leading the tie 2-0 on aggregate with less than a half-hour left to play. Los Blancos, meanwhile, progressed to the next round, joining Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City – the teams who have qualified so far.
