Furious Xavi reveals what he told the referee after Barcelona's Champions League exit

17/04/2024 00:11

Xavi has revealed what he told the referee after Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.

Barca took a one-lead advantage into this evening’s second leg and looked in control of the quarter-final tie after Raphinha scored against the run of play on 12 minutes.

But Barcelona were reduced to ten men when Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red card for clipping Bradley Barcola just outside the area and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The dismissal gave PSG renewed hope of a comeback and they got back into the tie through ex-Barca star Ousmane Dembele, who rifled a strike into the roof of the net from Barcalo’s inviting cross.

Barcelona still led at half-time but Vitinha and Kylian Mbappe both scored after the break to put PSG in front.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser but their Champions League exit was confirmed when Mbappe scored from a Paris Saint-Germain counter-attack in the 89th minute.

Xavi admitted he was ‘angry’ after Barca’s European defeat and hit out at referee Istvan Kovacs for sending off Araujo.

‘We are disgruntled and angry because I think that the decision decides the tie,’ said Xavi, who will step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.

‘Eleven against eleven we were well organized. The decision makes the tie completely. For me it is too much to give a red for this play and from then on it is a different game.

‘I told the referee that he was very bad, that he was a disaster and does not understand football. It killed the tie. It changes everything. I don't like to talk about the referees but we have to say it, we can't stay silent.

‘Barca will try again. We have had a very worthy Champions League, remarkable I would say.’

To make matters worse for Xavi, he too was sent to the stands during the Paris Saint-Germain defeat after furiously kicking an advertising board. Xavi was then seen berating the officials on the pitch after the match.

More to follow…