Xavi could face harsh sanction from UEFA for his actions during PSG clash

Last night was a heart-breaking one for FC Barcelona as they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage by PSG.

Even though the Catalans came into the game with a lead from the first leg and stretched that advantage early in the game in Montjuic, it all went downhill for them after Ronald Araujo’s sending-off.

PSG ramped up the pressure and went on to win 4-1 on the night to secure a spot in the UCL semi-finals.

Xavi lost his cool

During the course of the match, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was constantly seen expressing his displeasure with the referee’s decision, which only increased after Araujo’s red card.

Things reached a whole new level when the Barça boss said something to the fourth official and then kicked a camera-protection cushion on the sidelines, prompting the referee to send him off.

Xavi was sent off during Barcelona vs PSG. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

It did not stop at that as after the game Xavi was seen confronting the referee and having a go at him.

And during his press conference, the Barcelona head coach laid the blame at the match official’s feet for the defeat, lashing out at him and calling him a disaster.

Serious punishment possible

Now, SPORT reports that owing to Xavi’s actions directed at the referee during and after the match, he could be in for a harsh punishment from UEFA.

The fact that he returned to the pitch and confronted the referee could make Xavi’s punishment for the sending-off much harsher.

The UEFA Disciplinary Committee is quite tough on this type of behaviour and could take action on its own even if the incident is not reflected in the match official’s minutes.

The UEFA Disciplinary Committee will not take a decision in the next few days, and Xavi’s punishment could be made public in a couple of weeks’ time.

In any case, it remains to be seen when and where Xavi will serve the sanction imposed on him by UEFA, because unless there is a radical turn of events, he will leave the Barcelona bench on 30 June.