Pochettino calls for UEFA probe after PSG star claims ref swore at him
Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has backed UEFA to investigate claims that referee Bjorn Kuipers swore at Ander Herrera.
The claims came after PSG exited the Champions League with a semi-final second-leg defeat to Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez, who scored in his side’s 2-1 first-leg win, netted a brace as City made it 4-1 on aggregate. However, just as Idrissa Gueye saw red in the first leg, Angel Di Maria was sent off on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Kuipers issued four further yellow cards to PSG players, including midfielder Herrera.
Marco Verratti also received a booking and the Italian and Pochettino confronted the referee and his assistants after the full-time whistle.
Speaking to reporters after the clash, Herrera and Verratti alleged that Kuipers had swore at them.
“Tonight, the referee said ‘f*** off’ to Leandro Paredes, this is not normal,” Herrera said (via the Daily Mirror). “If a player does that, he takes three or four match suspension.”
Verratti added: “He also told me twice ‘f*** you’. For him, this is normal. If I do, I take 10 matches [suspended].”
Pochettino, meanwhile, said: “I did not hear it but we need to believe what they say and maybe UEFA will investigate.”
Mahrez opened the scoring for City after slotting past Keylor Navas, who had saved Kevin de Bruyne’s shot.
PSG had their chances in the second leg, but Ruben Dias blocking Herrera’s volley was one of several fine contributions from the City defender.
As such, De Bruyne and Phil Foden combined to tee up Mahrez at the far post to make it 2-0 on the night.
Pochettino feels PSG dominated
Pochettino told RMC Sport of his side’s performance: “If we analyse the two games, we dominated a very difficult team to control. You need a small percentage of luck to score in key moments.
“I am disappointed, because we deserved better. But Manchester City have been more clinical than us. They scored the goals we needed, we played the game we wanted with the plan we wanted. It’s a bit disappointing obviously, because the objective was to go to the final.
“We have to be positive, it’s difficult after an elimination, you have to have this process in mind, stay calm, analyse the situation… We arrived here having beaten Barcelona and Bayern. It’s a shame not to make it to the final, but the team never gave up, they fought to the end.
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“We also played 10 against 11 for [30] minutes, which is a big disadvantage. It wasn’t for us. We will go back being strong, the club and the players will be ready to win the remaining matches. We will be ready.”
City, meanwhile, return to Premier League action on Saturday to face Chelsea.
READ MORE: Mahrez names key trait Man City showed in taking down PSG
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