After the final whistle blew in PSG’s loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final, referee Daniele Orsato was seen shedding tears on camera.
The 1-0 victory for Dortmund, sealed by Mats Hummels’ decisive header, resulted in a 2-0 aggregate win for the Bundesliga team.
Orsato, a FIFA referee since 2010, faced some difficult decisions during the match, including awarding a free kick instead of a penalty to PSG after a challenge by Hummels on Dembele just outside the penalty box.
Post-match, emotional moments unfolded as it was revealed that this match marked Orsato’s last Champions League appearance, with the 48-year-old set to retire after Euro 2024.
Heralded by journalist Henry Winter, who commended Orsato’s handling of the game, stating, “Italian referee Daniele Orsato demonstrated great game management, upheld by VAR rather than controlled by it. He showed strength, applied advantageous rulings, and made decisive calls, which were well received by the players.”