'He's absolutely UNFIT': Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri blasts Craig Pawson after he showed defender Patric a straight red card in Europa Conference League win over Cluj - and insists 'shocking' English referee should not be officiating European games

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Maurizio Sarri blasted Craig Pawson after he showed defender Patric a straight red card claiming the English referee should not be officiating European games.

The Biancocelesti were reduced to 10 men just 15 minutes into their Europa Conference League play-off game against Cluj on Thursday. 

Ermal Krasniqi was brought down by Patric 10-15 yards outside the penalty area and Pawson judged it to be a clear scoring opportunity.

Nonetheless, Lazio secured a 1-0 victory which came deep in first-half stoppage time as Ciro Immobile smashed in a volley. 

'The only thing I can say is that it's unthinkable that he officiates at a European level,' Sarri told DAZN.

Maurizio Sarri blasted Craig Pawson after he showed defender Patric a straight red card claiming the English referee should not be officiating European games

Ermal Krasniqi was brought down by Patric 10-15 yards outside the penalty area and Pawson judged it to be a clear scoring opportunity 

'Immobile scored a difficult goal, but it's the house special. I hope it will contribute to getting some fog out of his head. 

'On a night when everything seemed to be going in the wrong direction, we obtained an acceptable result.'

'This is a referee who can't go around Europe to officiate games, he's absolutely unfit. 

'He altered the game with a red card which wasn't a clear scoring opportunity and continued with some shocking yellow cards. I hope he is just a poor referee.'

It is the first time Pawson has shown a red card this season, after 111 yellows in 25 competitive matches. 

It comes after Chelsea were not awarded a spot kick against West Ham when Tomas Soucek blatantly handled the ball inside the penalty area because his arm was going to break his fall. 

Soucek handled an effort from Conor Gallagher in the 89th minute of the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium on Saturday, leading to several Chelsea players begging referee Pawson for a penalty.

Pawson, the on-field official, dismissed claims while a VAR check was short and backed up the original call.

It is the first time Pawson has shown a red card this season, after 111 yellows in 25 competitive matches 

Lazio secured a 1-0 victory which came deep in first-half stoppage time as Ciro Immobile smashed in a volley