Xavi confronts the referee after Barcelona’s Champions League collapse against PSG – following his red card for striking out on the touchline
- Xavi confronted the referee after Barcelona crashed out of Europe against PSG
- He had been sent off for striking out, but shook hands with the umpire after
- Championship title hopes fall at the final hurdle! Who seizes the day to reach the Premier League from here? Listen to the podcast It’s All Kicking Off
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Xavi protested to the referee after Barcelona’s disbandment against PSG in the Champions League, a match in which he received a red card.
The Barcelona boss stalked referee Istvan Kovacs, who initially walked away from him, around the pitch and made his feelings clear to him and an assistant.
They eventually shook hands after Xavi vented at Kovacs on a night dripping with emotion and drama.
Xavi had been given a straight red card after starting some of the padding around the VAR monitor in the second half.
The Barca boss was furious after Vitinha put PSG 2-1 ahead tonight, prompting his outburst.
Xavi went after referee Istvan Kovacs after Barcelona lost to PSG and made his feelings known
He did, however, shake hands with Kovacs, despite being sent off in the second half for kicking out
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This was a very tense night in Barcelona and although Xavi’s actions hardly showed the cerebral leadership needed to negotiate it, they were easy to sympathize with.
Barca had come in with a 3-2 lead from Paris and when Raphinha gave them an early lead they looked set to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2018/19.
However, Ronald Araujo was sent off after 29 minutes for bowling over Bradley Barcola and that led to a sea change in proceedings.
Xavi took out Lamine Yamal soon after and the Spanish champions lost their grip on the tie.
Ousmane Dembele made it 1-1 just before half-time and Vitinha gave PSG the lead on the night early in the second half.
Two goals from Kylian Mbappe, the first a penalty, left Barcelona stunned and helped PSG to a 6-4 victory and a comeback of mammoth proportions.
