According to his teammate Ander Herrera, Paris Saint-Germain star Leandro Paredes was the victim of a foul-mouthed taunt from referee Bjorn Kuipers after his side’s Champions League loss to Manchester City.
Riyad Mahrez’s double propelled City into their first-ever final, defeating PSG 4-1 on aggregate despite struggling to score at the Etihad Stadium.
Temperaments flared in the final minutes, with Angel Di Maria receiving a red card and players from both sides clashing until Kuipers brought the game to an end.
What Did Referee Bjorn Kuipers Say?
“The referee said ‘f*CK off’ to Leandro Paredes; if we say that, we’re out for four games,” Herrera told RMC Sport after the game.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder followed Marco Verratti in accusing Kuiper of corruption.
“He even told me a couple times ‘fCK you. I’m out for ten games if I say ‘fCK you.’ Of sure, I talk to the referee a lot, but I never say ‘f*CK you,'” the Italy international added to RMC Sport.
Since struggling to win the Champions League for the second time in a row in 2020-21, the Ligue 1 giants will have to wait another year.
PSG, which lost in the final to Bayern Munich last season, has changed coaches five times since being taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, but Mauricio Pochettino is the first to fail in the competition the club most wants.
“I believe we were the strongest team for the first 70 minutes. We tried everything, and when we struck, we caused trouble for them. We should walk out of here with our heads raised high. We’re disappointed, but becoming a finalist and one of the top four teams this season is not easy. What we did today must not be changed. We played well and attacked well, but certain aspects need to be changed. But becoming a finalist in the four best teams is not easy,” Herrera said.
“Of necessity, there is a disappointment. Because we trusted in it. We were in the game before the red card. We provided a lot of chances and played much better than they did. On their first try, we gave up a goal.
We fought to the bitter end and tried everything. It’s similar to football. We’ve been in the top four for the last two years, and it’s been great. I apologize, but we will try again before we die” Verratti said.
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