FC Barcelona accomplished an unimaginable comeback towards Benfica, beating them 4-5, ans securing direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16.
Nevertheless, following the Blaugrana’s victory, incidents occurred between gamers of each groups within the dressing room tunnel.
Police intervene as tempers flare
In accordance with Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha, who scored the profitable aim for Barcelona, was focused by a number of Benfica gamers, who insulted him after the match, resulting in tense scenes within the locker room space.
The altercations acquired so heated that it prompted Portuguese police and stadium safety to intervene with a purpose to forestall the state of affairs from escalating additional.
The Benfica gamers and workers have been outraged by the referee’s resolution to uphold Barcelona’s winner as they believed they’d received a penalty earlier than the Catalans’ counter-attack.
Raphinha was focused by Benfica gamers. (Photograph by Octavio Passos/Getty Pictures)
However the VAR and the referee didn’t see issues the identical means, resulting in the hosts anger after the match.
Raphinha sheds mild on incident
Chatting with the media after the match, Raphinha confirmed that there was an incident between him and the Benfica gamers.
“I’m an individual who respects everybody, however after I was leaving the pitch, there have been individuals who insulted me. I returned the insults. I do know I shouldn’t have executed that, however I did. Ultimately, all of us acquired heated. The Benfica aspect additionally acquired slightly heated,” stated Raphinha.
“They may have understood the state of affairs, however they selected to insult me. I’m an individual who doesn’t take issues dwelling with me, and in the event that they converse to me, I’ll reply in form. It was one thing that occurred; we have been all upset, however it’s regular in soccer after a match like this,” he added.
Regardless of these transient unsavoury incidents, the Benfica-Barcelona match was some of the spectacular of this season’s Champions League, with Barcelona displaying nice character of their comeback.