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Ronaldo hints at conspiracy behind Pepe red card

Updated on: 29 April,2011 07:45 AM IST |
PA Sport |

Real Madrid ace hints at conspiracy over Pepe's sending off in 0-2 loss against Barcelona

Real Madrid ace hints at conspiracy over Pepe's sending off in 0-2 loss against Barcelona

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has joined coach Jose Mourinho in suggesting there is a conspiracy against teams facing Barcelona in Champions League ties.

Madrid on Wednesday night lost 2-0 at home to the Catalans, Lionel Messi scoring two late goals after the home side had had Pepe sent-off for a high challenge on Dani Alves. Ronaldo felt his countryman's dismissal was unjust and echoed the sentiments of Mourinho, who labelled the match "the scandal at the Bernabeu".

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after Wednesday's 0-2
loss against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final in Madrid.
PIC/Getty Images

The former Manchester United man said: "I do not understand why everyone playing against them (Barcelona) in the Champions League ends with 10 men, Arsenal, Chelsea...

"It is not an excuse but playing against 10 is very different to playing with 11."

Asked whether he had quizzed referee Wolfgang Stark afterwards, he said: "If I had tried to talk to him I would have got a yellow card.

"We are sad in the dressing room because every year is the same."

Ronaldo also bemoaned the fact his rival for the 'world's greatest player' tag, Messi, was allowed to showcase his talents against a weakened side with the Argentinian taking full advantage with a stunning individual goal to add to his earlier tap-in.

"I wish I had the chance as Messi did to play against 10 because then everything is so much easier," said Ronaldo.

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