Chelsea manager Emma Hayes described her team as "robbed" in their Women's Champions League semi-final loss to Barcelona on Saturday after referee Iuliana Demetrescu dismissed Kadeisha Buchanan following two yellow cards.
Chelsea had led 1-0 after triumphing in the first leg, Barcelona's first home defeat in five years, but Aitana Bonmati's and Fridolina Rolfo's goals mean that it will be their side heading to the final, and Hayes will miss her last chance for the only available trophy she hasn't won with Chelsea as she departs for the USWNT.
Hayes was extremely critical of Demetrescu's refereeing decisions in a news conference after the loss.
"I was surprised when I saw [Demetrescu] selected," said Hayes. "She's known for easy cards and I think that was probably the worst decision in UEFA Women's Champions League history."
She specifically objected to Buchanan's second yellow card, for a challenge on Patri Guijarro around the hour mark, at which point Chelsea and Barcelona were tied on aggregate.
"Even Barcelona players said to us the referee was helpful for them. I didn't think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card.
"It's almost like I'm stood there, and I've looked at the fourth official and said, 'Surely that will be checked?' She said she can't, it can't on a yellow.
"When you work so hard over days, weeks, months, years, you come here, and you expect the best from our officials. We expect that at the very least. It is really hard to take.
"The toughest thing to take is that we didn't lose it. There's nothing you can do when there's such a terrible decision, and it's already hard enough. We didn't feel we got the opportunity to lose it; that was taken away.
"When that's taken out of your hands, that's the tough one for the players. I'm gutted for them. We were robbed. I genuinely believe we were on top of the game."
