Most controversial red cards in the Champions League

Buffon's red card in the final minutes of a decisive match, after vehemently protesting a controversial penalty, encapsulates the frustration and passion of elite football. This incident marked a dramatic end for Juventus's participation in that edition and for Buffon's Champions League career with the Old Lady.

This red card was highly controversial due to its seemingly mild nature, sparking a major debate about the severity of refereeing decisions in high-profile matches. It occurred at a significant moment, Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League debut with Juventus, which added more attention to the incident.

Arturo Vidal's red card is remembered as one of the most unfair, as the second yellow was for a tackle where he seemed to touch the ball first. This incident was a turning point in a tie already marked by controversial refereeing decisions that favored Real Madrid.

This red card in a Champions League final is notable for the lightness of the action that provoked it, a slight push on Sergio Ramos. The perception that Ramos exaggerated his fall added a layer of controversy, making this a moment remembered for its refereeing strictness on the biggest stage.

This was the first red card in a Champions League final, making it a historic and controversial milestone. The controversy centered on whether the referee should have applied the advantage rule, as Lehmann's professional foul prevented a goal that was scored in the same play.

Drogba's red card in the final minutes of a Champions League final, for an act of frustration, is an iconic and controversial moment. It left Chelsea with ten men just before the penalty shootout, depriving them of their main taker and adding drama to the defeat.

Fernando Torres's red card is widely considered an unfair turning point in a crucial tie, as the second yellow was very strict. This incident generated great outrage at Atlético de Madrid and among its fans, who felt that the decision benefited Barcelona.

This red card is one of the most cited as 'unfair' in Champions League history, due to the disproportionate sanction for an apparently involuntary action. Van Persie's argument of not having heard the whistle at Camp Nou added a layer of disbelief to the referee's decision.

Freuler's early red card in a round of 16 match was a decisive factor that left Atalanta with one man less for almost the entire game. This decision generated an intense debate about the severity of direct red cards in crucial stages of the competition, affecting the balance of the tie.

This very recent red card stands out due to the perception of refereeing inconsistency in the Champions League, as an accidental contact led to such a severe sanction. The outrage generated by the decision to send off Kelly for a fortuitous play makes it one of the most controversial of the current season.

This equally recent red card was labeled 'unfair' by many analysts, who argued that the action did not warrant a second yellow card and that there was an 'excess of theatrics' from the opposing player. The decision benefited Barcelona at a key moment, making it highly controversial and relevant.