Xavi blames referee for Barcelona’s Champions League exit

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By Martin Graham | 17th Apr 2024

Following Barcelona’s Champions League elimination, head coach Xavi didn’t hold back in attributing blame to referee Istvan Kovacs, insisting that Ronald Araújo’s red card was unjustified.

Xavi expressed adamant disagreement with the referee’s decision, highlighting Araújo’s dismissal as the turning point in the match. With Barcelona initially holding a promising 4-2 aggregate advantage, the momentum shifted drastically after Araújo’s sending-off due to a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola.

From that moment, PSG seized control of the game, ultimately securing a 4-2 victory to advance to the semi-finals. Xavi was vocal in his belief that his team was unfairly treated, repeatedly emphasizing Kovacs’ decision as a detrimental factor in the outcome.

“I told the referee that he was very poor. It was a disaster,” Xavi stated. “The red card ruined the match. At this level, playing with 10 men is practically impossible.”

Xavi lamented the impact of the decision on the overall season, expressing disappointment in the referee’s role and calling for fair officiating in future matches.

Xavi’s critique of refereeing standards

Xavi’s post-match comments shed light on his dissatisfaction with the referee’s performance and its implications for Barcelona’s Champions League campaign.

Expressing his frustration, Xavi emphasized the significance of fair play and expressed disappointment with the outcome of the match. He reiterated his belief that Araújo’s red card was unwarranted and severely disadvantaged Barcelona’s chances of success.

“At this level, playing with 10 men is practically impossible. Before that, the tie was finely balanced. In that moment, you ruin football,” Xavi asserted. “Giving a red card for it is too much. It’s a real shame. The referee ruined all of our work this season.”

Xavi’s critique of the referee’s decision reflects a broader concern about officiating standards in high-stakes matches, calling for greater accountability and consistency in decisions made on the field.

Looking ahead despite disappointment

Despite the disappointment of their Champions League exit, Xavi remains focused on the future and Barcelona’s continued pursuit of success.

Acknowledging the setback, Xavi emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and maintaining determination in the face of adversity. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back and reiterated their commitment to achieving their goals in both domestic and European competitions.

“Our journey doesn’t end here,” Xavi affirmed. “We will analyze what went wrong and use it as motivation to improve. There are other competitions ahead, and we will continue to work hard to achieve success.”