Chelsea Boss Emma Hayes Slams Referee After UEFA Women's Champions League Semi-Final Defeat To Barcelona

 

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Emma Hayes the head coach / manager of Chelsea blows a kiss to the fans after the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 semi-final second leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at on April 27, 2024 in London, England.

With their UEFA Champions League semi-final encounter finely poised at 1-1 on aggregate, Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan was shown a second yellow card for landing on the foot of Barcelona midfielder Patricia Guijarro. Emma Hayes has branded the decision as "the worst in Champions League history" as the outgoing Chelsea manager missed her final chance to secure the elite European title.

As Chelsea crashed out of the UEFA Women's Champions League following a 2-0 defeat to cup holders Barcelona at Stamford Bridge (2-1 on aggregate), manager Emma Hayes slammed the game-altering decision to send off defender Kadeisha Buchanan as "the worst decision in Champions League history".

Buchanan was shown a second yellow card by referee Iuliana Demetrescu just five minutes after receiving her first caution. The defender landed on the toe of Patricia Guijarro but appeared to get a touch on the ball in the process of her challenge.

The decision altered the complexion of the second leg semi-final tie with over 30 minutes left to play, and Fridolina Rolfo slotted home a penalty 15 minutes from time, giving Barca an aggregate lead for the first time in the tie following Aitana Bonmati's opener on 25 minutes which levelled the aggregate score.

Hayes slammed the officiating on display at the sold-out Stamford Bridge, voicing pre-existing concerns she had for the elected referee.

"Even Barcelona players said to us they knew the referee was helpful for them," she told a post-match news conference. "I didn't think it was a foul let alone a yellow card. We felt we didn't get the opportunity to lose it [the game]. That was taken away.

"I was surprised when she was selected as she’s known for easy cards.

"I thought that was the worst decision in UEFA Women's Champions League history. I’m gutted for [the players]. We were robbed.

"It’s almost like I’m stood there and I’ve looked at the fourth official and said ‘surely that will be checked?' The toughest thing to take is that we didn’t lose it."

Chelsea carried a 1-0 lead into the second leg following an historic victory in Catalonia, ending Barca's five-year-long unbeaten streak on home soil.

And, after recovering from Bonmati's early deflected opener at Stamford Bridge, Hayes felt the match was well-contested until Buchanan was given her marching orders on 59 minutes.

"They're the best team in the world for a reason," she said. "They had a strong first half. The deflected goal puts them in a good position but in the second half I felt we were just coming on top.

"The combination with the crowd and players was driving us and the players felt really confident.

"So when you get such a shocking official decision, there's nothing you can do about it. It's hard enough against 11 of them but when you've got 10 its virtually impossible."

Hayes' departure at the end of the season to join the U.S women's national team means she will leave the club having never won the UEFA Champions League trophy in her 12-year stint at the London club.

The semi-final clash was also her final outing in the dugout at Stamford Bridge - where the women's team have played their more significant matches in recent seasons.

Chelsea remain in the hunt for their fifth successive Women's Super League title, sitting three points off leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.