Atlanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini
blasted the referee after his side lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in
the fist leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Bergamo on
Wednesday after playing most of the match in 10 men.
German referee Tobias Stieler gave Atalanta's Remo Freuler a
straight red card in the 17th minute for stopping a chance on
goal by bringing down Real's Ferland Mendy, even though the
Swiss midfielder was not the last man in defence.
Gasperini said refs were increasingly trying to eliminate all
forms of contract from the game and said this amounts to "the
suicide of football".
"Enough of these refs who have never played soccer and ruin
matches," he added.
Mendy scored Real's wining goal in the closing stages.
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