Xavi: ‘Disaster’ referee killed Barcelona’s semi-final hopes

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez slammed the referee for sending off Ronaldo Araujo in the first half of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. Xavi claimed the decision to show Araujo a straight red was “unnecessary” and ended the club’s hopes.

Araujo was sent off in the 29th minute for pulling down Bradley Barcola on the edge of the box with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.

With Barcelona reduced to 10 men, PSG staged a comeback and triumphed 4-1 at Montjuic, progressing 6-4 on aggregate .

“We are annoyed,” Xavi said. “The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it’s too much to send [Araújo] off there.

“It’s a shame that the work of a whole season ends here because of a refereeing decision,” he told Movistar on Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs. “This dismissal is unnecessary.”