Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo says the referee in the defeat to Barcelona was ‘unquestionably’ poor but won't appeal Fernando Torres' red card.
Los Colchoneros were furious with Felix Brych’s display in sending off Torres, who opened the scoring at Camp Nou, but not Luis Suarez, who appeared to kick out at Juanfran and was later the match-winner with two goals.
“The match was almost a week ago. The return is soon,” Cerezo said, AS reports, when asked if he was still going over events on Tuesday.
“We’re already thinking of another game, also in Barcelona, but this one against Espanyol.
“We’ve said what we had to say at the time. Unquestionably the referee wasn’t good. But if we look at the history of referees and football, we see these things happen.
“Winning [against Espanyol] is where we are focused and we go to Camp Nou on Wednesday to play a great game and go through.
“Appeal Torres’ red card? I don’t think so. I’m not a lawyer but I don’t think so. We don’t expect any further sanctions from UEFA. We didn’t do anything but play a game and try to win.”
Cerezo was asked if he is concerned Atletico are problem for UEFA, and responded that if that is the case, something is wrong with the governing body.
“Atleti are considered one of the top five teams in Europe. If one of those teams is annoying, then it’s a very complicated issue,” he noted.
“I don’t think we’re a problem, only in a sporting sense, which without question bothers every team.
“This year is a big opportunity [in the Champions League] but we have to play a great match on Wednesday, against one of the best in the world, not to say the best. We’ll go to win.”
Cerezo was also questioned on Real Madrid’s defeat at Wolfsburg and speculation Torres will be offered a contract extension.
“We’ve said it and said it. At the end of the season we’ll meet with the player and the technical staff and decide the solution,” he insisted regarding El Nino.
“Madrid? I was told our player [Joshua Guilavogui] had a great game, right? I’m happy for him. Phenomenal.”
