Xavi slams ‘unnecessary’ red card

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez claimed the referee’s decision to send Ronald Araujo off in its Champions League knock-out by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday was “unnecessary” and ended the club’s semifinal hopes.

Araujo was dismissed 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 down to 10 men, PSG battled back and triumphed 4-1 at Montjuic, progressing 6-4 on aggregate.

“It’s a shame that the work of a whole season ends here because of a refereeing decision,” Xavi told Movistar.

“This dismissal was unnecessary.” Xavi was also sent off for a show of dissent on the sideline, as Barcelona’s players lost their heads in the second half and he criticized the Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs.

“The referee was really bad. I told him his performance was a disaster. I don’t like to talk about referees, but it had a clear impact on the season and it has to be said,” the coach said.

Araujo’s red card led Xavi to take off 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, who created Barcelona’s opening goal for Raphinha, with Inigo Martinez coming on to fill the hole in defense.

“We’re angry. The red card defines the tie,” continued Xavi.

“We were well organized, for me it’s too much to give a red card, from there it’s a different game.

“We had doubts about whether to take off Lamine, he was doing well.”

Barcelona is eight points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga title race and faces Los Blancos on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.