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Football

08th May 2024

Champions League referee spotted in tears during PSG vs Dortmund

Callum Boyle

The Italian official was spotted in tears at the full time whistle

Referee Daniele Orsato was spotted in floods of tears at full time in Tuesday’s Champions League semi final.

Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 1-0 by Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes as Mats Hummels’ second half header booked Dortmund’s place at Wembley.

There were emotional scenes from the Bundesliga side at the full time whistle as they celebrated with their travelling fans, but they weren’t the only ones.

Footage appeared to show Orsato in tears after he called time on the game however many won’t know the reason why.

Emotional ending

For Orsato, Tuesday’s fixture was the last time he would officiate a Champions League match after he confirmed he would be retiring after Euro 2024.

Orsato has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010 and managed games including the 2020 Champions League final in Lisbon and the opening game of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He was also named by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the best referee of the year in 2020.

The 48-year-old was praised for his performance in the middle, in particular his decision to correctly award PSG a free kick when Ousmane Dembele was fouled on the edge of the box.

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