'A disgrace': Champions League rocked after 'ridiculous' red card
The Champions League clash between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid has been marred after a controversial red card to centre back Savic all but ended the tie.
Chelsea were in a comfortable position with a 1-0 lead (2-0 in the tie) with just eight minutes remaining of normal time left in the match.
'EMBARRASSING': Football fans slam 'awful' Champions League moment
'STUNNING': Kevin de Bruyne shocks fans with 'ballistic' moment
But tempers boiled over in a corner when Atletico centre back Stefan Savic was given a straight red for an elbow to Chelsea centre back Antonio Rudiger.
However, the Atletico Madrid players became incensed after replays showed the slight elbow landed in his chest.
While any dangerous play is considered a red card, many fans considered the red card 'ridiculous' with elbows being thrown to the body in corners during most matches.
Others felt the elbow was worthy of a red, regardless of where it landed.
RED CARD 🔴
Stefan Savić sees red after an elbow in the box. pic.twitter.com/RjdKEaJs5Q— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) March 17, 2021
I mean, listen. It wasn't a red. But the decision to do it in the first place, knowing full well that Rudiger is gonna sell it, and the ref is right there...is terrible!
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) March 17, 2021
That was absolutely a red card for me. Very deliberate and violent elbow into the chest of Rudiger. Don't think it matters it wasn't in his face.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) March 17, 2021
Being elbowed in the solar plexus would probably be pretty painful... #CHEATM
— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) March 17, 2021
Rudiger on the wind-up...and Savic reacted. Whether right or wrong, it's amusing to see Simeone's players going up to Rudiger afterwards to complain...pot and kettle springs to mind. #CHEATM
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) March 17, 2021
Rudiger living rent free in all these Atletico players’ heads. 😂 #CHEATM
— Jake Heasman (@jakeheasman) March 17, 2021
Felt like even Simeone was going through the motions after Savic red, looking away and walking off before belatedly shouting "VAR" after his players surrounded the referee. The fight looks to have gone out of Atleti.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) March 17, 2021
I felt like a yellow was ok for that elbow from savic but Orsato had his eyes on Savic for a while
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 17, 2021
Savic deserves the red card. That foul was unnecessary. Rudiger was just doing his job.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) March 17, 2021
Thats a rediculous Red Card, Rudigers a disgrace for going down that easy
— Mossie Robertson (@Bradleykid69) March 17, 2021
Never a red card that what is this game coming to 🤣
— Nick mccabe (@ContrastTheDif1) March 17, 2021
Some fans were left confused to why VAR didn't step in and ask the referee to review the decision.
Many pointed out that Chelsea had executed the 'dark arts' of football very well in the tie against a Diego Simeone team, which is renowned for their mastery in that part of the game.
UK Athletic sports reporter Simon Johnson said it was like the 'pot calling the kettle' phrase, in regards to Atletico players complaining.
Despite Chelsea winning 2-0 (3-0) on aggregate and deserving their passage through to the quarter-final stage, Atletico fans could also point to another moment in the game that was divisive.
Atletico denied penalty in controversial moment
After the dust settled at the beginning of the second-leg, Atletico Madrid clawed their way back into the game and some fans feel hard done by after a moment of madness from César Azpilicueta.
The defender passed the ball back to Edouardo Mendy, but panicked after realising the ball had put his goal keeper under pressure.
Yannick Carrasco seized on the opportunity and rushed to put Mendy under pressure.
But in a controversial moment, Azpilicueta decided to wrap his arm around the Atletico winger in an attempt to slow him down.
Carrasco went down under the touch, albeit softly, but no penalty was given and the ref did not check the moment on VAR as play continued.
The contact had many calling for a penalty considering the winger was attempting to intercept the ball.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
