Chelsea have come under fire from fans, pundits and fellow footballers alike after the team surrounded the referee during the club’s Champions League clash with PSG, following a challenge from Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Oscar that would lead to the striker being sent off.
Ibrahimovic was shown the red card in the 37th minute after sliding into Oscar, though the video replay reveals that the striker made little contact with the midfielder, who proceeded to roll around the floor in what appeared to be agonising pain. A barrage of Chelsea players, including captain John Terry, proceeding to run towards the referee and attempt to influence his decision, with Ibrahimovic then being sent off the pitch as a result of the challenge.
Take a look at the tackle that led to the Swedish star seeing red below:
Speaking after the match, pundit Graeme Souness said: “We had a great game of football going on there and it saddens me, and makes me angry at the same time, that gamesmanship is deciding these big games.
“It’s not a sending off, it is Oscar’s studs that are high. This has spoiled the game. It’s not about the best team winning it any more.
“If that’s what our game is coming to we need to sort it out and sort it out quickly.”
His opinion was echoed by Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports, who said: “Zlatan is actually trying to pull his foot away. You look at it and Oscar’s (foot) is as high as his, if not higher, and if the referee is the other side maybe he would look at Oscar and give the decision the other way.
“The reaction from the Chelsea players is disgraceful and it’s sad. It’s something that’s coming into the game and it comes from Jose Mourinho’s teams. They have this reaction, it’s not a one-off.”
He continued: “I always think with Jose Mourinho’s teams, they will always be respected but they will never be loved because of situations like this. They take winning to a level that no other team or manager does
“You see the reaction of some of the players and it has definitely played a part – and Mourinho’s words have worked.”
Unfortunately for Chelsea, PSG being brought down to 10 men and losing their star striker still didn’t help them progress to the final eight of the Champions League, as goals from both Thiago Silva and former Chelsea man David Luiz sent the London club packing.
Chelsea’s Premier League rivals were also quick to criticise the team’s behaviour, with Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique tweeting the following:
Says it all…. pic.twitter.com/uMHmaO7f1f
— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) March 11, 2015
With the benefit of hindsight it’s clear that Ibrahimovic’s challenge did not deserve a red card and there was certainly a degree of simulation on Oscar’s behalf, but even though their top star will now be forced to sit on the sidelines for their next Champions League game, PSG will undoubtedly be happy that they managed to quell the London club despite the disadvantage.
Photo: Getty Images
