Seedorf: Referee got it wrong but is not to blame for AC Milan exit

Posted Wednesday, April 04, 2012 by Goal.com

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf argued that referee Bjorn Kuipers had erred in awarding Barcelona a penalty shortly before half-time in the their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash at Camp Nou but refused to blame the official for the Rossoneri's exit.

After last week's scoreless draw at San Siro, the Italian champions bowed out of Europe with a 3-1 defeat at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi scored twice from the spot for the Blaugrana either side of a leveller from Antonio Nocerino, before a goal from Andres Iniesta rounded the match off.

Milan were left enraged by Kuipers' handling of the game at Camp Nou, particularly in relation to the decision to penalise Alessandro Nesta for a tug on Sergio Busquets as the pair jostled for position ahead of a corner kick, but Seedorf tried to offer a considered analysis when he spoke to reporters after the game.

"The referee blew and the penalties were given," he mused. "It's true that I didn't see what happened but, speaking to the referee, for me he made a mistake [on the second penalty].

"If he saw that a foul was being committed [before the ball was in play], he should have stopped the game, which is what always happens.

"That was a key moment in the game, but we didn't lose because of that.

"They were two important games between two important teams, and Barcelona had a little bit more. Let's leave it at that."

Seedorf believes that the Blaugrana will now go on to reach the final, and is of the opinion that some familiar faces will be waiting for them at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

"The biggest contenders [for the title] are Real Madrid and Barcelona," the former Madrid midfielder stated.

"They are two very strong teams, but Bayern and Chelsea could put up a fight."

Meanwhile, Seedorf admitted that he had been touched by the reception he received from the home fans when he was replaced during the second half, confessing: "I am grateful to the Barcelona public for applauding me when I went off."

The 36-year-old Dutchman spent three seasons with Barca's great rivals Madrid between 1996 and 1999.