By David Gold
April 29 – The row between Real Madrid and Barcelona has escalated further still after Real insisted that they would report the Catalans to UEFA for their behaviour during the bad-tempered Champions League semi-final between the two sides on Wednesday night (April 27).
The match was the third in a quartet of ‘El Clasico’ encounters in just over a fortnight; they drew 1-1 in La Liga and Real won the Copa del Rey final 1-0 after extra time, and Madrid had finished both games with 10 men after having Raul Albiol and Angel di Maria sent off respectively.
Even before the start of the third game this week, Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola had sworn in anger about his opposite number Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese accused him of criticising referees even when their decisions were correct.
During the game a number of flare ups occurred between both sides as tempers frayed following a number of theatrical challenges.
At half-time, a melée ensued as the teams headed for their dressing rooms, with Barcelona’s reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto sent off.
And in the second period, Real were incensed after Pepé was given his marching orders for a tackle on Dani Alves, with Mourinho sent to the stands soon afterwards.
After the game the hostilities worsened still as Mourinho launched an extraordinary tirade against the Catalans.
“It’s clear that against Barcelona you have no chance. I don’t know if it’s the publicity of Unicef [the club’s shirt sponsor], I don’t know if it’s because they are very nice, but they’ve got this power,” said the Real boss.
Barcelona were quick to respond, insisting that they would report their rivals to UEFA’s disciplinary body for “breaking UEFA’s disciplinary code.”
Real have now responded by issuing a complaint regarding the alleged theatrical behaviour of their opponents, whom they accuse of diving to feign injury and luring the referee into punishing Pepé.
“Upon learning of the unprecedented decision by Barcelona to lodge a formal complaint against Mourinho, Real Madrid announces that it is obligated to follow suit concerning the repeated unsportsmanlike behavior of Barcelona, whose players consistently feigned aggressions with the sole purpose of misleading the referee of the match, which clearly led to the unfair decision to dismiss our player Pepe.”
Whether either side’s complaint is acted upon by UEFA is doubtful, but the organisation have already issued a number of charges relating to the game.
Real are facing five charges relating to the behaviour of Mourinho, Pepé’s red card, and missiles thrown from the crowd, as well as a pitch invasion at full time.
Barcelona are in the dock for Pinto’s behaviour at half time.
The Catalans are set to progress to the final of the Champions League when the duo resume hostilities on Tuesday night at the Camp Nou, having won the first leg 2-0 thanks to Argentine Lionel Messi, who scored his 51st and 52nd goals of the season at the Bernabeu.
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