Villarreal Boss Slams Referee For "Scandalous" Decision In Champions League Loss

Villarreal president Fernando Roig has hit out at the referee, after the Spanish side were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool.

Tuesday night had the makings of one of the most dramatic and sensational turnarounds in any Champions League semi final, which is something considering the pair of games in 2019 alone.

Unai Emery's team were 2-0 up at the end of the first half against Liverpool and had wiped out the Reds' lead from the first leg with a stunning opening 45 minutes.

However, they may have felt aggrieved not to have had a change to score from the penalty spot, when it looked like Alisson may have taken out Giovani Lo Celso.

The on loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder ran on to a through ball into the box and attempted to round the onrushing keeper, going down in the box.

Roig wasn't happy at all with the decision, claiming it was 'scandalous,' even though replays showed Lo Celso may have been the one to initiate the contact.

"It was a scandalous penalty," Roig said as reported by Marca, "The referee doesn't have the level to officiate this match. It seems to me a scandalous penalty for Lo Celso, I don't see any other possible interpretation.

"The decisions have been mysterious, they have always been in their favour.

"It doesn't serve as an excuse, because there they were superior and could win more, but this decision isn't at the level for a time like this.

"There have been a lot of small actions that have gone in their favour."

The incident did come not long before Villarreal equalised, when Francis Coquelin headed home unmarked from Etienne Capoue's cross.

But the penalty wasn't the only issue for Roig, with the club official also claiming that Danny Makkelie's decisions were 'evil,' adding, "There were three fouls on the edge of the box in the first half, the set piece is very important and we couldn't have it.

"Our forces were failing and it would have been good for us. I'm not angry, it's a pride to get here, but the arbitration has been very evil."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Villarreal, Liverpool, Champions League, La Liga, Spain

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28