March 11 – UEFA have been placed in the awkward position of investigating one of their own inner circle after opening disciplinary proceedings against Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
UEFA are looking into the behaviour of Al-Khelaifi and PSG sporting director Leonardo after they allegedly confronted officials in the aftermath of Wednesday’s last-16 Champions League elimination at Real Madrid.
Al-Khelaifi also, according to eye witness reports, stormed into Real Madrid’s changing room by mistake before racing into PSG’s changing room where he abused the players, before entering the referee’s room to complain. On the way he left a trail of destruction as his frustration and anger boiled over.
Al-Khelaifi is a member of UEFA’s executive committee as well as chairman of the influential European Club Association and head of Doha-based broadcaster beIN Media Group – a key Champions League TV rights holder.
PSG, who have never won the Champions League, went into the second leg of their last-16 tie with a 1-0 lead but like in so many seasons before, they capitulated and went out 3-1 on aggregate.
They were furious, however, at Real’s first goal believing that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the build-up by hattrick hero Karim Benzema.
The disciplinary case follows unconfirmed reports that after the game, Al-Khelaifi stormed the Dutch referee’s dressing room in protest.
The referee’s report is said to have allegedly stated that Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo “behaved aggressively and tried to enter the referee’s dressing room.”
“When the referee asked them to leave, the president hit a piece of the assistant’s equipment, breaking it.”
UEFA says it will consider its “general principles of conduct” as well as “incorrect behaviour of players and officials”.
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