Frank Leboeuf slams Ronald Araujo for embarrassing Champions League moment as Barcelona survive tense Newcastle draw

A tense moment during the UEFA Champions League clash between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United has now turned into a heated debate. Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf openly criticized Barcelona centre back Ronald Araujo after the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on March 10. Leboeuf said he was “happy” that Araujo was punished by the referee during a controversial moment that happened just before Newcastle scored their goal.

The match ended 1–1, but the incident involving Araujo quickly became one of the main talking points. The Barcelona defender had stepped off the field because of a cramp late in the game. When he tried to return quickly to help his team defend, referee Marco Guida did not allow him back immediately. Newcastle took advantage of that moment and scored soon after, putting Barcelona under pressure before the equalizer later in stoppage time.

Frank Leboeuf criticizes Ronald Araujo after controversial moment during Barcelona and Newcastle United Champions League clash

The situation happened late in the second half. Ronald Araujo moved outside the touchline while dealing with cramps. At that moment, Newcastle United were building an attack. Araujo attempted to reenter the pitch quickly, but referee Marco Guida stopped him and instructed him to wait.

While Araujo remained off the field, Newcastle pushed forward. The move ended with Harvey Barnes scoring in the 86th minute for the English club. Barcelona were left short in defense during that moment, which helped Newcastle break through.

Barcelona eventually found a way back into the game. Young winger Lamine Yamal scored the equalizer from the penalty spot during stoppage time to secure a 1–1 draw.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Frank Leboeuf strongly criticized Araujo’s actions. He said the defender tried to stop the play in an unfair way.

Leboeuf said, “I’m so happy he’s been punished for cheating, that’s embarrassing for him and he deserves that punishment. It was awful to see him trying to get back into the field to make the ref stop play. That was insane and I’m happy with the ref because that was probably the only decision he made that was on the side of the Geordies.”

The former Chelsea defender also questioned some other refereeing moments in the match. He added, “In other moments of the game some Barca players deserve yellow cards like Lamine, if he got it he wouldn’t have played the second leg. I wasn’t feeling good about the ref until that decision where he put Araujo out and let the game play which led to the Geordies scoring and that was only fair.”

After the match, Ronald Araujo shared his own view during the press conference. Speaking to reporters, as quoted by Barca Universal, he said he did not understand why he was not allowed to return immediately.

Araujo said, “I don’t understand the rules. If I have a cramp, I can enter the field standing or crawling. I don’t understand the referee’s decision. He sent me off again. Then I couldn’t get to the area. I don’t understand the referee’s decision.” He also spoke about the final result.

Araujo said, “I’m happy with the result. We got the draw in the end. We didn’t play as well as we wanted to.” Barcelona and Newcastle United will now meet again for the second leg on March 18 at Spotify Camp Nou, where a place in the quarter finals will be decided.