Inter Milan win over Barcelona marred by spitting claim as Inigo Martinez and Francesco Acerbi footage emerges | OneFootball

Angry scenes before half-time confused viewers amid a VAR check

REUTERS

A spitting storm has emerged amid the fallout from Inter Milan's thrilling Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.

The two teams played out a European classic as Inter beat Barca 7-6 on aggregate after a breathless evening in Milan. The hosts went ahead on Tuesday night through Lautaro Martinez and then a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty on the stroke of half-time.

It was a disaster first half from Barcelona and the half-time whistle was blown with sets of players from both teams confronting each other and referee Szymon Marciniak as the Video Assistant Referee checked and cleared a potential red card.

Viewers were left confused by the sudden escalation on the pitch, but video footage soon after appeared to show Barca's Inigo Martinez spitting on Francesco Acerbi, the latter having led the angry protests.

Poor quality footage appears to show Martinez's head jerk towards Acerbi as the Inter man runs into the box.

Discussing the potential incident after the game, Wayne Rooney said on Amazon Prime: "You certainly don't want to see that in a football game or anywhere. If he has spat, then he'll get a punishment that he'll deserve.'

Fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge added: "Absolutely right. If he's done that, then it's not good - it's not necessary, it's not needed. We'll let the people do their job and see if he's actually done it."

Barcelona hit back after the break with three goals before Acerbi, 37, forced extra time with his first ever Champions League goal. Davide Frattesi’s extra-time winner booked Inter’s second Champions League final in three years.