MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 23:21:42| >> :120:13779:13779:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Feb 18, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Messi (54' pen.), Alves (90')

FIFA chief Jim Boyce defends referee Jonas Eriksson

FIFA chief Jim Boyce defends referee Jonas Eriksson following comments made by Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

FIFA vice president Jim Boyce has defended referee Jonas Eriksson following his decision to send off Martin Demichelis on Tuesday night.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini was left furious by the decision, suggesting that the Swedish official should not have been selected to referee the Champions League clash with Barcelona because of his nationality.

Eriksson has, however, been selected to officiate at this summer's World Cup, and Boyce believes that he was the right man for the occasion.

"It is absolute nonsense to say a referee should not be chosen for an important match because he comes from a smaller country," the 69-year-old is quoted as saying by Touchline Talk. "If the referee has proved himself at the top level it should not matter what country they come from.

"All the referees who have been chosen for the World Cup have been assessed by experienced officials who have been involved at FIFA and UEFA level and marked on their performances in the World Cup and confederation competitions at a high level.

"I read the remarks that were made by the Manchester City manager. I saw the game and my own personal opinion is that I thought the referee had a good game. He is a very experienced referee who has been chosen for the World Cup because of excellent reports of his performances in Europe."

Pellegrini could face UEFA charges following the comments.

ID:139593: cacheID:139593:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2718:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Martin Demichelis fouls Barcelona's Lionel Messi to give a penalty during a UEFA Champions League Last 16 match on February 18, 2014
Read Next:
Demichelis takes blame for penalty
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!