On Tuesday night, Borussia Dortmund faced off against Chelsea in a crucial Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge.
The German side had the advantage, having won the first leg 1-0 at home, but they failed to build on it, slipping out of the competition with a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
The game was not without controversy, and the decisions made by the referee, Danny Makkelie, were hotly contested by Dortmund’s players and officials.
The Dutch referee ordered Kai Havertz to retake his penalty due to encroachment in the 18-yard box, after his initial effort hit the post, to the chagrin of the Dortmund faithful
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund’s CEO, accused Makkelie of arrogance, suggesting that the referee wanted to be the most important man on the pitch.
ALSO READ: Graham Potter explains why he couldn’t watch Havertz score penalty against Dortmund
He felt that Makkelie was too easily swayed by the boisterous home crowd and lacked instinct.
“The decision to retake the penalty was very controversial and the original call itself was a 50-50 decision. There’s no question about that at all,” Watzke said.
Jude Bellingham, one of Dortmund’s star players, was also critical of the refereeing decisions. He felt that Marius Wolf’s handball, which led to Chelsea being awarded a penalty, was questionable, and he was outraged that the penalty was allowed to be retaken due to encroachment by Salih Ozcan.
ALSO READ: Weghorst reveals why he touched ‘This is Anfield’ sign in 7-0 loss to Liverpool
“I’m not sure what more he can do with his hand. That in itself was disappointing, and the fact that they’ve had a retake, I think it’s a joke,” Bellingham told BT Sport.
Emre Can, another Dortmund midfielder, was even more scathing in his criticism of Makkelie. He felt that the referee was arrogant throughout the game and that he was to blame for the defeat.
“The referee was to blame. I don’t understand the second penalty. How can you give it? I don’t give a damn who ran into the penalty area before. He hits the post, finished,” Can said.
Speaking further on Makkelie’s performance, Can said, “The referee was arrogant throughout the game. I wanted to talk to him normally at half-time, that’s where it starts.
“We’re playing here at Stamford Bridge. Maybe the referee is afraid of the fans. UEFA should send another referee. That’s just not possible.“
