UEFA admit referee Deniz Aytekin ‘failed in the performance of his duties’ during Barcelona’s historic comeback victory against PSG in 2017
- Barcelona stunned PSG with a late comeback in the 2016-17 Champions League
- Forward Luis Suarez won a contentious penalty which led to Barca’s fifth goal
- UEFA have acknowledged the display of Deniz Ayekin was not up to scratch
- German referee Ayekin could reportedly face further punishment from UEFA
UEFA have acknowledged that referee Deniz Aytekin ‘failed in the performance of his duties’ during Barcelona’s comeback victory against PSG in 2017.
The historic comeback, when Barca came back from a 4-0 first-leg deficit to win 6-1 on the night at the Nou Camp, finished with drama and controversy after three late goals sent Barca through.
In particular, Luis Suarez winning a penalty, which resulted in Barca’s fifth goal in stoppage time, was contentious and UEFA have acknowledged as such, with the referee could reportedly facing potential further penalties.
Referee Deniz Aytekin failed in the performance of his duties during Barcelona’s comeback
Barca came from 4-0 down to beat PSG 6-5 on aggregate in the 2017 Champions League R16
UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee, as reported by French outlet Onze Mondial, said Aytekin ‘failed in the performance of his duties’ on March 8 2017 in the Champions League round-of-16 clash.
European football’s governing body considered a demotion for the referee, and the French club also lodged a formal complaint outlining all the mistakes of Aytekin that night.
PSG players look dejected after Sergi Roberto’s last minute winner at the Camp Nou in 2017
It is unknown why the complaint took three years to be handled and the admittance will not come as any consolation to PSG players and fans.
That year, Barcelona were knocked out in the quarter-finals by a Juventus side who would go on to lose in the final to Barca’s fierce rivals Real Madrid.
PSG have not gone beyond the round-of-16 since, losing to Real Madrid in 2018 and Manchester United last season.
