”Disaster’ of a referee”: Xavi reacts to Barcelona Champions League loss to PSG

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has labelled the performance of Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs a “disaster” after his team loss to PSG in the Champions League quarter-final clash.

Having gone into the game with a 3-2 lead, Barcelona looked like they were strolling to the semi final when Raphinha turned home in the 12th minute after brilliant work from Lamine Yamal.

However, Araújo received a straight red after being adjourned to have pulled Barcola to the ground as he ran through on goal just outside the box.

PSG took advantage of the red card to secure a place in the semi final. Kylian Mbappé bagged a brace and goals from Ousmane Dembélé, on his return to Barcelona, and Vitinha saw PSG sealing a 6-4 aggregate win.

Speaking after the match, fumed about the decision to send Ronald Araújo off.

“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.

“The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don’t like speaking about referees but it has to be said. I don’t understand it.

“It’s not good going down to 10 players and from that point on it’s another game. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything.”

Paris Saint-Germain will face Borrussia Dortmund in the semi-final after the Bundesliga side defeated Atletico Madrid 5-4 on aggregate.