Roma president criticises VAR decision as late Porto penalty knocks side out of Champions League: ‘I'm tired of this crap’
James Pallotta called for VAR to be used in the Champions League after Roma were knocked out by Liverpool in last season's semi-final, but says the technology ‘screwed over’ his side against Porto
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Your support makes all the difference.Roma were “robbed” of a place in the Champions League quarter-final after VAR was used to award Porto a late penalty in extra-time, claimed the club’s president James Pallotta.
The Italian side took a 2-1 first-leg lead to Portgual, but the tie went to extra time after Francisco Soares and Moussa Marega struck for the home side either side of Daniele De Rossi’s penalty.
With only a few minutes remaining as a penalty shootout loomed, Porto were given the chance to win the tie after they were awarded a penalty assisted by VAR.
Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir was alerted to a possible foul in the area when Roma defender Alessandro Florenzi appeared to pull Fernando to the ground as the Porto forward tried to attack a low cross.
Alex Telles confidently struck the resulting penalty beyond Robin Olsen and fired Porto into the quarter-final.
VAR was used in similarly late circumstances in Wednesday’s other Champions League tie and aided Manchester United in going through against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Roma president called for VAR in the Champions League following their semi-final exit against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool last season, but says the technology is still ‘screwing’ his side and feels they should have been given a penalty on Wednesday night.
“Last year we asked for VAR in the Champions League because we got screwed in the semi-final and tonight, they’ve got VAR and we still get robbed,” he said.
"Patrik Schick was clearly clipped in the box, VAR shows it, and nothing is given. I’m tired of this crap. I give up.”
Following last season’s defeat, Pallotta was critical of Uefa for delay its introduction. "Liverpool are a great team, congratulations going forward, but if they don't get VAR in the Champions League stuff like this is an absolute joke," he said.
Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco was under pressure to get a positive result at the Estadio do Dragao following their 3-0 derby defeat against Lazio that left them fifth in Serie A.
Di Francesco chose not to speak to the press following the European exit and instead quickly got onto the team bus.
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