Ronald Araujo issues public apology after getting sent off in Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to PSG
'Football that gave me so much joy, is now hitting me hard.'
Ronald Araujo has apologised to Barcelona’s fans after getting sent off during their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Barca appeared in control of the quarter-final tie after going 4-2 up on aggregate through Raphinha’s early goal on Tuesday night.
But PSG were offered a route back into the tie when Araujo received a straight red card for clipping Bradley Barcola and denying the forward a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The visitors made the most of their numerical advantage, equalising through Ousmane Dembele before Vitinha’s crisp strike and a Kylian Mbappe brace sealed a 6-4 win on aggregate, sending PSG through to the semi-finals.
Xavi hit out at the decision to send Araujo off after the match, calling the referee’s performance ‘disastrous’, and the player has now spoken out for the first time.
‘Football that gave me so much joy, is now hitting me hard,’ the 25-year-old wrote on Instagram.
‘I thank all those who are unconditionally by my side, my teammates who left everything on the field, and the fans who believed in this team until the end.
‘I’m so sorry for not giving you this joy. WE’LL TRY THIS AGAIN! Força Barça, now and forever!’
Barcelona boss Xavi was also sent off during the European clash after arguing with the fourth official and kicking an advertising board.
‘The referee was really bad,’ he said after the match. ‘I told him his performance was a disaster. I don’t like to talk about referees, but it had a clear impact in the season and it has to be said.
‘We are very upset and angry because the red card was the decisive factor in the match. With 11, we were in a good position, playing well and in command.
‘It’s too much to flash a red card in a game like this. There was another game after that… It is a pity that the work of the season was ruined by an unnecessary expulsion.’
Paris Saint-Germain, who have never won the Champions League, face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals after the Bundesliga side eliminated Atletico Madrid in another thrilling and dramatic tie.
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