UEFA removed a video that praised ‘masterful’ Rafael Leao, showing his controversial tackle on Hirving Lozano in the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Napoli and Milan.
The video showed Leao’s controversial sliding tackle in the latest meeting between Partenopei and Rossoneri at the Stadio Maradona.
It was captioned: ‘Rafael Leao: masterful in attack and defence.’ Leao’s challenge has been heavily debated after the match, with Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti arguing it was a clear foul which should have resulted in a penalty kick for the Partenopei.
“There was a penalty today, clear as day, on Lozano where you see from the replays that the ankle moves and he never gets the ball,” said Spalletti.
“It’s the clearest penalty, you cannot fail to see that. It is not contact, that is a foul, otherwise his ankle would turn like that. It risks a sprain of the ankle. You cannot fail to see that.”
Many angry Napoli supporters commented on the video and UEFA removed it after a few minutes.
The Rossoneri beat Napoli 2-1 on aggregate and qualified to the Champions League semis for the first time since 2007, when they went on to lift the trophy with Carlo Ancelotti in charge.
