Ronald Araújo did not hide his frustration with the officiating in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match between Barcelona and Newcastle, particularly the decision by Italian referee Marco Guida to force him off the pitch moments before the Magpies' opening goal. The Uruguayan defender, who was experiencing cramps, was unable to return in time to defend his area on the play that resulted in Barnes' goal—he had gone beyond the goal line with physical complaints and when he tried to return to the game, the referee forced him to leave again, preventing him from repositioning. "I don't understand the rules," said the Uruguayan center-back. "I don't understand the referee's decision; he sent me off again. Then I couldn't reach the area," lamented the player, who was substituted immediately after the goal conceded. "If I'm cramping, I can enter the field standing or crawling. I don't understand the referee's decision," he emphasized. The Catalans eventually equalized, which left the defender "happy," although he noted: "We didn't play as well as we wanted." "We were smart. In the Champions League, you have to be. Now we play at home, with our fans. It will be a great game," he anticipated.
Barcelona Marco Guida remains central to this story.
Barcelona Marco Guida remains central to this story.
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