Source: PA
Semi protagonists sicken Pulis
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has labelled Barcelona and Real Madrid a disgrace for the theatrics that marred Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final clash.
The Catalonians won the first leg 2-0 in the Bernabeu after a tempestuous game that produced red cards for Madrid defender Pepe, coach Jose Mourinho and Barcelona substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto.
Referee Wolfgang Stark was surrounded by players on numerous occasions after tackles from both sides and Pulis, whose team have received plenty of criticism for their physical style of play, called for action to try to stamp out play acting. He said: "The game was a great disappointment. Both teams spent too long trying to get players booked and sent off. They put enormous pressure on the referee and I thought the attitude of the game from both sides was appalling.
"We get criticised in this country for being physically too competitive. You have a look at that game, and they're the two greatest teams in Spain with great players, players you could only dream of having in your team, and the attitude was a disgrace.
"Nobody will talk about it, they'll talk about challenges sometimes and being over competitive but you won't hear them talking about players rolling around. That German referee was put under so much pressure it was frightening. You're getting fellow professionals trying to con referees to get other fellow professionals sent off.
"Someone has to stand up and say something about it because it's happening in this country as well and it's wrong. It's a competitive game but it's about football. We'll be competitive, but we'll be honest, and there's a difference. Wednesday night was tantamount to trying to cheat referees into making bad decisions and that should not happen."
