Leandro Paredes panned for red card play-acting in Roma's Europa League play-off win over Porto - 'It's pathetic'

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AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri described referee Francois Letexier as an "enfant prodige" in the build-up to his side's 3-2 win over Porto in their UEFA Europa League play-off second leg. Roma progressed 4-3 on aggregate, thanks in part to Leandro Paredes, who fell to the turf holding his face after being struck in the chest by Stephen Eustaquio. The Canadian was subsequently sent off via VAR.

Eustaquio sees red for lashing out at Paredes

Video credit: TNT Sports

Leandro Paredes was slammed by TNT Sports' commentary team after his "pathetic" play-acting saw Stephen Eustaquio sent off in Roma's 3-2 Europa League play-off win over Porto.

With the sides level after the first leg, a sensational overhead kick from Samu Aghehowa drew Porto ahead on aggregate, before a quick-fire Paulo Dybala double edged the hosts in front.

But Porto's hopes of progressing were all but extinguished when Eustaquio hit out at Paredes, immediately following the Roma midfielder's attempted elbow block.

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Paredes fell to the floor clutching his face, despite replays and VAR showing Eustaquio lashed out at his chest, and the Canadian was subsequently given his marching orders, to the astonishment of Dan Mason and Adam Virgo on commentary.

"Paredes puts his arm out to block him going forward, and then he [Eustaquio] flicks out at him afterwards. I'll be amazed if this is given as a red card, but you never know in today's game," said Virgo just before Francois Letexier was sent to the VAR screen.

"He [Paredes] holds his face after and that's the problem. He looks over his shoulder, blocks him, hits him in the chest and he holds his face.

"This cannot be given as a red card, I'm sorry."

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Mason added: "I have a feeling it's going to be. The Canadian international cannot believe it. With that, Porto's chance may have gone."

A yellow card was also issued for Paredes, who will now be suspended for Roma's last-16 tie, which will be against either city rivals Lazio or La Liga outfit Athletic Club.

Shown the replay of the incident once more, Mason said: "It's pathetic."

"It is," concurred Virgo. "Listen, you can't react like that. But Paredes was the one who obstructed him to start with. He goes down holding his face and that's the thing that really frustrates me more as a former player.

"He's blatantly trying to get him sent off."

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Virgo added: "It's a complete overreaction. I think nowadays these players are being told to go down a lot easier, because things look 100 times worse now and everything's slowed down.

"I think you used the word 'pathetic' and I'm completely in agreement with you. He goes down holding his face, more than anything that gets on my nerves and it's going to cost Porto probably the game."

Claudio Ranieri, in the build-up to the crunch clash, had described referee Letexier as an "enfant prodige" or 'child prodigy'.

Niccolo Pisilli went on to score Roma's third of the night before a last-gasp own goal from Devyne Rensch saw Porto go agonisingly close to taking the tie to extra time.

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Anderlecht keeper Coosemans 'should be embarrassed'

Paredes was not the only one to exaggerate contact in the hope of securing a numerical advantage, with Anderlecht goalkeeper Colin Coosemans also guilty of going down too easily.

In the first half of their clash with Fenerbahce, Youssef En-Nesyri put his head onto Coosemans' and the Belgian keeper flung himself backwards to the ground.

Goalscorer En-Nesyri was booked for the incident, with Coosemans escaping any form of punishment.

Nigel Spackman was initially critical of the Moroccan forward, but turned his attentions swiftly to Cooseman's antics.

"Well, it's just stupid, isn't it? But I don't think he headbutts him. It's a forehead to forehead, having a go at each other," said Spackman.

"The goalkeeper goes down very easy, in my opinion, but you can't do that sort of thing.

"What he's trying to do is get somebody sent off, get them down to 10 men, Fenerbahce. But in a hot, hostile atmosphere, you've got to keep your wits about you.

"I think the referee has handled that correctly, but he should be embarrassed, the goalkeeper, going down so easy for that."

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Aggregate score (4-3)