Barcelona head coach Xavi was not at all hesitant in pointing the finger of blame for the club’s Champions League exit squarely at referee Istvan Kovacs.
As much comes with the Spaniard adamant that Ronald Araújo should not have been shown a red card.
Barca, of course, are fresh off being sent packing from Europe at the hands of French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
After looking as though they were in firm control of the tie upon Raphinha guiding the Blaugrana into a 4-2 aggregate advantage inside the opening quarter of an hour on Tuesday, a major decision soon turned the clash on its head.
This came upon the aforementioned Araújo being dismissed from the action, owing to a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola.
From here, PSG took complete control of the affair, racking up four goals to march on to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
And of the opinion that his side were altogether hard done by en route to as much, as alluded to above, is Barcelona headmaster Xavi.
Speaking to the media post-match at Montjuïc, the former midfielder time and time again diverted attentions back towards Istvan Kovacs’ call to send Araújo off as an unnecessary turning point:
“I told the referee that he was very poor. It was a disaster,” Xavi began.
“It doesn’t matter how much we talk, the fact is that the red card ruined the match. I don’t like to talk about referees but we have to say it. We can’t be silent.
“At this level, playing with 10 men is practically impossible. Before that, the tie was beautiful. In that moment, you ruin football.
“Giving a red card for it is too much. It’s a real shame. The referee ruined all of our work this season. I wanted to play 11 vs 11, fairly.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
