Chelsea players branded unprofessional over Zlatan red card

Chelsea players have been criticized for their role in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s red card in their Champions League round of 16 clash exit to PSG.

The Swede was sent off in the first half for what appeared to be a hefty challenge on Oscar.

However, replays suggested that the decision was a harsh one but as the Chelsea players surrounded the referee, the red card was brandished much to PSG’s horror.

Jamie Carragher wasted no time in condemning the Blues for trying to influence the referee’s decision.

“The reaction from the Chelsea players is disgraceful. It comes from Jose Mourinho’s teams – they have this reaction, it’s not a one-off,” he said on Sky Sports.

“Maybe it’s what he said beforehand in the press conferences, it’s got into the referee’s head.

“I always think with Mourinho’s teams that they will always be respected but never loved, because of situations like this. They take winning to a level that no other team or manager does. Mourinho’s words have worked.”

Ibrahimovic himself was equally critical of the behavior of the Chelsea players and branded them “babies”.

“When I saw the red card I was like ‘the guy doesn’t know what he’s doing’ or maybe he saw something else.” he said.

“The worst is what I see when I get the red card – all the Chelsea players come around. It felt like I had 11 babies around me. I pulled out because I saw him also coming.

“I don’t know if he (Oscar) was acting afterwards or where I hit him. It doesn’t matter. We won the game and we went through so we will see what happens.”