Borussia Dortmund players were extremely furious yesterday with referee Danny Makkelie after being eliminated from the Champions League. Makkelie allowed Kai Havertz to retake a penalty that already seemed contentious in the eyes of many Dortmund players.
Chelsea entered this game knowing they had to win by more than a goal.
Raheem Sterling scored to put the London side ahead just before half-time. Shortly after the teams came back from the break, Dortmund defender Marius Wolf blocked the ball with his hand in his own box. A penalty was given to Chelsea.
Kai Havertz missed the penalty by striking it on the post. However Makkelie has been told through VAR that Dortmund players were in the box before Havertz kicked his penalty. The referee decides that the penalty should be retaken. This controversial decision would determine the outcome of the tie. Havertz does not miss his second chance and Chelsea lead 2-0.
Chelsea retook their penalty due to encroachment after Havertz' shot hit the post.
Havertz scored on the second attempt. pic.twitter.com/0e1Q66U4R4— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 7, 2023
Dortmund will have several chances to bring the tie up to 2-2 but they won't manage to score. Chelsea wins the game 2-0 and advance to the next round with an aggregate score of 2-1.
CHELSEA HAVE TURNED IT AROUND 🔄🔙 pic.twitter.com/NNtbttgW3o
— LiveScore (@livescore) March 7, 2023
Dortmund's players reaction to referee's decisions
Dortmund players were furious with the decision in the immediate aftermath of the game. 19 year old English star, Jude Bellingham believes that his teammate's handball was a severe decision:
From where I was, it looks like it was pretty close. I'm not sure what else more he can do with the hands. It's a yard or two away I'm not too sure. But I don't want to get in trouble I've paid enough to them lot.
The fact they had the penalty retaken is a joke. For every penalty, especially when he has a slow run up, there's going to be people encroaching to the box by a yard or so. That's the game I suppose, he [Makkelie] made the decision and we have to live with it.
Jude Bellingham knows what he is talking about when he says "I don't want to be in trouble. I've paid enough to them lot" as in 2021 he got fined for criticising a referee.
Another player that was unhappy about Makkelie's decisions was Emre Can. The former Liverpool midfielder didn't not hold back his anger and disappointment while being interviewed by Amazon after the match:
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 shit who walked in there before. He was arrogant the whole game - that's where it starts. We lost here undeservedly because of the referee.
🏆 #UCL #Interview
🎙 Emre Can : "L'élimination, c'est la faute de l'arbitre" pic.twitter.com/swgTZPyuub— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 7, 2023
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