1. Time for a rule change?
The turning point in both Arsenal’s and Manchester City’s ties was a red card. Arsene Wenger was right in saying the referee “killed the game” by sending off Wojciech Szczesny at the Emirates but that doesn’t make the decision any less correct. The rules state that a foul denying a goalscoring opportunity must result in a red card but if a penalty is also awarded – thus allowing the attacking team another goalscoring chance – surely an additional red is too harsh? At the Etihad, Martin Demichelis should have simply let Lionel Messi run on goal rather than bring him down; the penalty and sending off was a double blow that finished City. Both ties now look dead in the water, largely as a result of the English clubs playing with ten-men. FIFA should consider a rule change to prevent this type of scenario happening again.
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