Chelsea manager Emma Hayes expressed her frustration and disbelief at the red card decision that ultimately led to her team’s defeat by Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-final. Hayes described Kadeisha Buchanan’s red card as the “worst decision in Women’s Champions League history” after Chelsea lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate exit.
Buchanan was sent off for a second yellow card offense, leaving Chelsea with 10 players on the field. Hayes vehemently disagreed with the referee’s decision, stating that she believed her team was “robbed” by the referee’s calls, including a penalty against them.
Despite being 1-0 down to Barcelona, Chelsea was level on aggregate when Buchanan received her second yellow card. Hayes felt that her team was on top of the game and had the momentum before the red card changed the course of the match.
The Chelsea boss also criticized the lack of VAR intervention in yellow card decisions, emphasizing the impact of such a controversial call on the outcome of the game. Hayes, who will be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season to become the United States manager, expressed disappointment at missing out on the Champions League final, the only trophy she has yet to win with the club.
The defeat marked a bitter end to Hayes’ successful tenure at Chelsea, leaving her with mixed emotions as she prepares to take on a new challenge in her coaching career.