Why Champions League final referee isn’t popular with Manchester United fans

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Cuneyt Cakir will officiate Barcelona vs Juventus, but Manchester United fans will have bad memories from their last meeting with him.

With Manchester United not competing in the Champions League this season, a final between Barcelona and Juventus is more than likely to be one for the neutrals, but Red Devils fans could well feel differently when it comes to the match referee.

Cuneyt Cakir is a seasoned UEFA official, having taken charge of games in both the Europa League and Champions League.

Fourth official for last season’s showpiece final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Cuneyt mainly works in the Turkish Super Lig.

Domestically, he possesses quite the reputation and comes into this game having dished out five red cards and 25 yellow cards in his last seven league outings.

But, to Manchester United fans, he may be better remembered as the referee who ensured Sir Alex Ferguson’s final Champions League campaign would end in disappointment thanks to a somewhat a contentious decision.

The incident occurred in the second leg of United’s Champions League round of 16 clash with Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

Following a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, the Red Devils appeared to be on course for the next round after a Sergio Ramos own goal gave them the lead early in the second half.

But the game was turned on its head after midfielder Nani went into an aerial challenge on full-back Alvaro Arbeloa with a high foot.

Cakir reacted quickly enough, with a straight red card for the Portuguese winger that was widely condemned as harsh.

Mourinho and Madrid soon rallied to score twice and progress.

That summer, Ferguson stepped down as United manager to be replaced by David Moyes.

Though it would be wrong to suggest victory over Real would have paved the way for European glory, the Spaniards were regarded as one of the favourites at the time.

So while there may be cards aplenty for both Juventus and Barca, one set of fans unlikely to be cheering the actions of the referee regardless are those of the red persuasion.