Emma Hayes has said that Chelsea were “robbed” in their Champions League semifinal loss on Saturday, describing the penalty awarded to Barcelona as the “worst refereeing decision in women’s Champions League history.”
Barça overturned a first leg deficit to beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, however, referee Iuliana Demetrescu’s debatable decision to dismiss Kadeisha Buchanan after two yellow cards left the Chelsea boss seething.
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Buchanan was booked in the 54th minute for a clear foul however, the second booking, just five minutes later, was deemed a harsh decision by Hayes who gave a scathing assessment of the officiating.
“I was surprised when I saw her [the referee] selected,” Hayes told a media conference after the defeat. “She’s known for easy cards and I think that was probably the worst decision in UEFA Women’s Champions League history.
“Even Barcelona players said to us the referee was helpful for them. I didn’t think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card.
“It’s almost like I’m stood there, and I’ve looked at the fourth official and said, ‘Surely that will be checked?’ She said she can’t, it can’t on a yellow.
“When you work so hard over days, weeks, months, years, you come here, and you expect the best from our officials. We expect that at the very least. It is really hard to take.”
