Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can was left fuming at refereeing decisions as Borussia Dortmund exited the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the hands of Chelsea.
Leading by one goal from the first leg, the German giants were sent packing from the competition in controversial circumstances as the Liverpool's Premier League rivals secured a 2-0 home win to progress to the quarter-finals.
Graham Potter's side took the lead two minutes before half-time through Raheem Sterling and doubled their advantage shortly after the break after being awarded a penalty from referee Danny Makkelie.
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Ben Chilwell led the protests for a spot-kick after seeing his cross into the box strike the arm of Marius Wolf, though this appeal was initially ignored. A VAR check then took place, resulting in Makkelie awarding a penalty after being refereed to the pitchside monitor.
Aggrieved with this decision, there would be further frustration for the visitors after Kai Havertz missed from 12 yards before being allowed to retake his spot-kick. Dortmund midfielder Salih Ozcan was believed to have encroached, sparing Havertz's blushes in the process. The Chelsea No.29 made no mistake at the second time of asking and had the nerve to shoot the same side as his previously missed attempt.
Dortmund pushed for a goal to take the game to extra-time and were denied a penalty of their own late on when Marco Reus appeared to be brought down inside the box, only for Makkelie to wave play on. Furious with the officiating on the night, Can pulled no punches when asked to share his view on the defining moments of the match.
The ex-Liverpool midfielder said: “The referee, it was his fault today. How can you give the second penalty in the situation? How does it work? That simply does not work! I don't give a s*** who walked in there before. He was arrogant the whole game - that's where it starts.
"We lost here undeservedly because of the referee. We play here at Stamford Bridge. Maybe he's afraid of the fans, I don't know? But then UEFA should send another referee.”
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