Referee Szymon Marciniak has taken centre stage during the first half of the Europa League quarter-final between Roma and Milan with some controversial decisions.
See how tonight’s matches unfold on the Liveblog.
The Polish official rather harshly opted for a straight red card when Roma defender Zeki Celik went into a mistimed sliding tackle on Rafael Leao in midfield.
As it was a subjective decision, VAR was not really in a position to overturn that, as it could not be considered a clear and obvious error.
Celik did go in late and caught the back of Leao’s ankle as he was in full flight, having previously tried and failed to tug his shirt.
ROMA DOWN TO 10! 😱
Mehmet Zeki Çelik is given a straight red for this foul on Leão 🔴#UEL pic.twitter.com/aQKDBHCbIp
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
VAR was called into action later on in the half when Milan protested a potential handling offence in the penalty area on a corner.
However, Marciniak saw after a very quick VAR On-Field Review that there was an Olivier Giroud handball first, then it struck Chris Smalling on the arm too.
🤔 #RomaMilan – Perché il #VAR è intervenuto per un fallo in attacco? Evidentemente c'era stato un tocco di mano di #Smalling punibile col rigore, ma arrivato DOPO quello altrettanto punibile di #Giroud @calciomercatoit pic.twitter.com/oqfwo5lbBd
— Maurizio Russo (@maugirzio_russo) April 18, 2024
Same ref who sent off our left black Emerson in the CL playoffs against Porto few years back. I don’t understand how this guys still referees!