Emre Can was one of many from the Borussia Dortmund team to lash out at referee Danny Makkelie, labelling the display of the match official as scandalous.
The Blues trailed 1-0 from the first leg in Germany but managed to turn the tie around in west London. A goal from Raheem Sterling in the first half and a re-taken penalty from Kai Havertz was enough to earn them a deserved 2-0 win.
But Havertz’s re-taken penalty was a huge talking point, after Salih Ozcan was deemed to have entered the box as the first spot-kick was taken. Many of the Dortmund players were left bewildered by the decision.
They argued that Ben Chilwell was also guilty of encroaching but Makkelie stuck with his original decision to have the penalty re-taken, prompting Can to launch a furious tirade at the referee in his post-match Interview.
The former Liverpool midfielder is at risk of being punished by UEFA for some of his comments, aimed at the match official.
“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”said the infuriated Can after the final whistle ” 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,” he added “But then UEFA should send another referee.”
Dortmund boss Edin Terzic felt the penalty awarded against his team by VAR for a handball against Marius Wolf was the call that ultimately turned the direction of the tie against his side.
“If a decision takes five or six minutes to make you know it’s not been an easy call,” said Terzic. “I’m the manager, I’m responsible for performances. But not for the performance of the referee.”