Real Madrid vs Leipzig ref was ‘kicked in crotch’ whereas fleeing riot throughout sport
The referee in control of Real Madrid and RB Leipzig’s second-leg last-16 Champions League conflict was as soon as kicked within the crotch whereas fleeing a match.
Los Blancos shall be hoping to defend their 1-0 lead on mixture after they tackle the German facet on the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night time. Carlo Ancelotti’s facet edged nearer to a spot within the quarter-finals by taking the benefit within the first leg in Leipzig on February 13, because of Brahim Diaz’s screamer.
In cost of officiating shall be Italian referee Davide Massa, who often works in Serie A and is ranked in UEFA’s elite class. But the 42-year-old was as soon as compelled to run off the pitch and down the tunnel by livid followers.
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The surprising incident got here within the derby between Greek sides Olympiacos and AEK Athens in April 2023. Olympiakos followers had run onto the pitch on the Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium, ripping out seats and throwing them onto the sector.
Bottles have been additionally thrown onto the pitch through the sport – and the unsavoury scenes worsened as soon as Massa referred to as an early finish to the seven minutes of stoppage time. Riot police then needed to stand their floor as they tried to push followers again into the stands and out of the stadium.
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But because the referee and his fellow officers raced down the tunnel, some followers slipped by means of and made the identical journey. Recalling the scary incident, Massa stated: “At the end of the match the home team fans entered the pitch and we headed straight towards the tunnel that leads to the changing rooms.
“Entering the tunnel where there were many people, I felt a blow on my genitals without understanding who gave it to me.”
Massa shall be hoping for a tamer fixture as Real Madrid look to safe a win and go one step nearer to lifting their fifteenth Champions League trophy. Manager Ancelotti has received the trophy a file four-times, main AC Milan to victory twice within the noughties and Real Madrid in 2014 and 2022.