“Scandalous!” – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Joins Roberto De Zerbi in Blasting Referee After 10-Man Marseille’s Feisty Champions League Defeat to Sporting CP

Emerson’s Controversial Red Card Sparks Fury as Aubameyang and De Zerbi Rage at “Unacceptable” Officiating

It was a night that promised triumph but descended into fury and disbelief for Olympique de Marseille. What began as a controlled and confident European performance at the Estadio José Alvalade ended in anger and accusations, as Marseille fell 2-1 to Sporting CP in a Champions League clash overshadowed by controversy.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the club’s charismatic captain, didn’t hold back after the final whistle, calling the refereeing “scandalous.” Head coach Roberto De Zerbi echoed that sentiment, blasting the officials for what he saw as a “game-changing injustice” that robbed his team of a deserved result.

Emerson’s Red Card: The Moment That Changed Everything

Football often turns on small moments — a misplaced pass, a missed chance, or in this case, a refereeing decision that defied logic. Marseille had taken an early lead through Igor Paixão and looked in full control when the first-half clock ticked into stoppage time.

Then came the chaos. Emerson Palmieri went down inside the Sporting penalty area after a tangle with defender Matheus Reis. Referee Rade Obrenović initially pointed to the spot, seemingly convinced it was a penalty. The Marseille bench erupted in celebration.

But that joy lasted barely a minute. After a VAR review, Obrenović was advised to check the monitor. What followed was a decision that left everyone — players, staff, and fans — completely baffled. Not only was the penalty overturned, but Emerson was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

A stunned silence swept through the Marseille contingent before it turned into fury. The dismissal, especially after what Aubameyang described as a “ridiculous” first booking for handball, left De Zerbi’s men down to ten for the entire second half.

Sporting, sensing blood, pounced. Goals from Geny Catamo and Alisson Santos flipped the scoreline and sealed a comeback win that had the home fans roaring — and the visitors fuming.

“It completely changed the face of the match,” Aubameyang told Canal+. “The first yellow card Emerson received was scandalous. He couldn’t do anything with his hand. Then he gets sent off for diving? That’s a decision that kills a team.”

Aubameyang: “The Referees Weren’t Up to Scratch”

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In the mixed zone after the game, Aubameyang was visibly frustrated, his words sharp but controlled. The Gabonese striker — who had led the line brilliantly before the dismissal — accused the referees of not being “up to Champions League standards.”

“It’s complicated when you’re made it difficult,” he said. “The referees weren’t up to scratch tonight. There was nothing for us — no small decisions, nothing. We dominated the match, we scored first, we were the better team. But when things like this happen, it’s impossible.”

The 34-year-old striker lamented the feeling of powerlessness players experience in such moments.

“We don’t even have the right to speak to the referee. Only the captain can talk, and even then, he doesn’t listen. It’s scandalous. In a competition as big as the Champions League, you expect quality referees. What happened tonight was unacceptable.”

Aubameyang’s irritation wasn’t just about one match — it was about the broader frustration that players feel when key decisions derail weeks of preparation and effort. “We’re angry,” he admitted. “We played a good match, but it’s hard when you feel punished for no reason. Now we have to turn the page and focus on the league.”

De Zerbi’s Fury: “This One Feels Different”

If Aubameyang’s comments were fiery, Roberto De Zerbi’s post-match reaction was volcanic. The Italian coach, known for his passion and candour, made it clear he felt robbed of a fair result.

“I didn’t like the refereeing at all,” he said bluntly in his press conference. “It wasn’t made for this match. With that red card, the game completely changed. The defeats against Rennes or Lyon are one thing — those are football defeats. Tonight was something else entirely.”

De Zerbi, whose side had prepared meticulously for the trip to Portugal, was “disgusted” by the decisions that swung the momentum.

“We were playing our football, controlling the game. Then one decision ruins everything. How do you tell ten men to play the same way against a team like Sporting? It’s not realistic. I’m angry, but also proud. Because even with ten, my players fought until the end.”

The fiery manager didn’t stop there, adding that the experience should fuel Marseille’s hunger. “This defeat has to make us stronger,” he said. “If we keep this spirit, we’ll be back. We’ll take this anger and use it.”

The Turning Point in Marseille’s European Journey

For Marseille, this wasn’t just a group-stage setback — it was a blow that could have long-term consequences. Sitting 18th in the Champions League league phase with just three points from their opening three matches, De Zerbi’s men now face a steeper climb toward qualification.

The frustration stems not just from losing, but from the manner of it. Marseille had looked sharp, pressing high and creating chances before Emerson’s sending-off flipped the match.

Statistically, they dominated the first half: 63% possession, five shots on target, and 300 completed passes to Sporting’s 190. After the red card, those numbers flipped — proof of how a single moment changed everything.

“We were the better team before the red,” De Zerbi insisted. “But football is decided by moments. And tonight, one man made sure those moments went against us.”

Emerson Palmieri: From Hero to Villain in Seconds

For Emerson, the night was personally devastating. Signed in the summer to bring balance and European experience to Marseille’s backline, the defender had been solid until disaster struck.

His first yellow card came for what looked like an accidental handball as he challenged for a cross — a call that many pundits later described as “harsh.” Then, just before the break, came the second.

“You could see he didn’t dive,” said Aubameyang, defending his teammate. “There was contact. VAR should’ve seen that. Instead, he’s punished twice for doing nothing wrong.”

De Zerbi refused to blame his player. “Emerson did nothing wrong,” he said. “If anything, he was too honest. He tried to stay up. It’s a human mistake from the referee, but one that costs us dearly.”

What’s Next for Marseille?

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The mood at full-time was somber but defiant. Aubameyang led his teammates to the travelling fans, applauding their unwavering support despite the heartbreak. “We play for them,” he said. “We’ll come back stronger.”

That comeback will need to start quickly. Marseille return to Ligue 1 action on Saturday, hosting fourth-placed Lens in what promises to be another high-stakes encounter. Lens are unbeaten in their last four and have climbed steadily under Franck Haise.

Marseille, though, remain top of the table — one point ahead of reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. The title race is shaping up to be one of the tightest in years, and De Zerbi knows that bouncing back domestically will be vital to restoring confidence.

“We’ll be angry for a day or two,” the coach admitted. “Then we’ll move on. This team has character. What happened tonight won’t define us — how we respond will.”

The Wider Debate: VAR and the Spirit of the Game

The incident reignited long-standing frustrations about VAR’s role in modern football. While designed to bring clarity, it often seems to bring chaos instead. Fans, pundits, and even former referees weighed in after the match, with many agreeing that Emerson’s dismissal was harsh.

Former French international Bixente Lizarazu said on TF1: “If that’s a dive, then football has lost its sense of fairness. VAR should help referees, not humiliate them or the players.”

Even Sporting coach Rúben Amorim admitted after the game that the decision “changed everything,” though he stopped short of calling it wrong.

Aubameyang’s Final Word: “We Deserved More”

As he left the mixed zone, Aubameyang summed up the mood in one sentence that captured the frustration of every Marseille player and supporter.

“We deserved more tonight. But football doesn’t always give you what you deserve.”

The veteran striker, still chasing European glory at 34, knows there’s no time for self-pity. Marseille’s Champions League journey isn’t over — but they’ll have to dig deep, rally behind their fiery manager, and perhaps, hope for a bit of luck that deserted them in Lisbon.

A Night to Forget, a Lesson to Remember

The dust will settle, tempers will cool, and the focus will shift to the next challenge. But the sting of injustice will linger. For Aubameyang and De Zerbi, Tuesday night wasn’t just about losing a football match — it was about feeling betrayed by the system meant to ensure fairness.

“Scandalous,” they called it. And perhaps, for once, that word didn’t feel like an exaggeration.