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Sevilla slam Clattenburg

GROUP H

SEVILLA 1
(Nico Pareja 9)

JUVENTUS 3
(Claudio Marchisio 45+2-pen, Leonardo Bonucci 84, Mario Mandzukic 90+4)

Sevilla were left fuming at English referee Mark Clattenburg after Juventus came from behind to win 3-1 in Spain and seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday morning (Singapore time).

The hosts made the perfect start through Nico Pareja's ninth-minute opener, but were reduced to 10 men after just 36 minutes when Franco Vazquez was shown a second yellow card by Clattenburg (right).

A controversial Juventus penalty converted by Claudio Marchisio followed and Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli was also sent to the stands before two goals in the final six minutes from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic ensured the Italian champions' progress.

Sevilla winger Vitolo claimed it was Clattenburg who changed the course of the Group H tie.

"Today, two decisions from the referee have harmed us," he told BeIN Sports Spain.

"At 1-0, we were playing well, in control and taking the game to them; we didn't have many problems.

"All of a sudden, we are left with a man less and he has given a penalty that for me you can't give."

CHANNELLED

Teammate Pareja agreed, saying the Englishman turned the game in Juventus' favour.

He said: "We lost against a tough team, but they were fortunate with several incidents.

"The Vazquez red card was harsh, because he didn't deserve that second yellow. The referee cancelled out our work with two decisions that channelled the match in a certain direction.

"The penalty seemed very dubious to me...

"Frankly, the shirt tug (by Gabriel Mercado on Bonucci) did not seem excessive."

However, Sevilla coach Sampaoli agreed that he deserved to be sent off for dissent, saying: "It wouldn't speak well of me if I talked about the referees today.

"My sending-off was correct because I complained and protested without justification."

– Wire Services.

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