AS Monaco to send letter to UEFA regarding refereeing performance in Benfica defeat | OneFootball

“The referee decided the match with the cards,” was Mohammed Salisu’s analysis of the performance of referee Rade Obrenovic in Benfica’s slender 3-2 win over AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Obrenovic’s performance has come in for significant criticism from the Principality club. Already on a yellow for a tackle that was referred to VAR for a potential red card, Alvaro Carreras then was not sanctioned for a heavy and late challenge on Wilfried Singo later in the half.

That decision elicited indignation from the Monaco players, including captain Denis Zakaria and vice-captain Thilo Kehrer, who were both booked for their protests. Frustrated with another tackle that he received minutes later, Singo, who did not confront the referee, was then also shown a yellow for protesting.

Obrenovic doesn’t shake Monaco manager’s hand post-match

That proved costly mid-way through the second half when Singo was sent off for a second yellow. “There is never a yellow card for that,” reacted Adi Hütter, who was also shown a yellow card at the end of the game as Benfica reversed the scoreline late on to inflict a first defeat in the Champions League for Monaco.

Speaking on Friday, Hütter said that Obrenovic showed him a yellow for asking “What are you doing?”, with the referee then proceeding not to shake the manager’s hand – at least initially – post-match, Get French Football News understands.

Hütter also expressed frustration with Zakaria’s yellow card for protesting, when it is stated in the rules that the captain can speak to the referee. “Denis is the captain, he can talk to the referee. I don’t understand the rule,” said the Monaco manager.

Frustrated by Obrenovic’s attitude, L’Équipe understands that Monaco will address a letter to UEFA, a piece of information that Get French Football News can confirm, with the referee’s mimicking of a talking hand also a point of contention from Les Monégasques.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle