The Champions League resumes tonight as Clubs battle for a place in the semi finals of this year’s competition. Ahead of the matches let’s take a look at some of the most controversial incidents in the history of the illustrious tournament.

Ibra’s offside goal against Barcelona April 2, 2013 - Quarter-Final

PSG drew against the mighty Barcelona at the Parc Des Princes in a Champions League Quarter Final encounter last week, courtesy of a controversial Ibrahimovic goal.

Ibra was not in an offside position when the cross was placed inside the box. It was however met by the head of Thiago Silva, after which the ball landed in the path of the Swedish striker who was then in an offside position. However the goal stood and PSG were lucky to end the match with the scores even.

Nani’s red card against Madrid March 5, 2013  – Round of 16

When Turkish referee showed Manchester United winger Nani a straight red, the club’s UEFA Champions League campaign suffered a severe dent as a 10 man United found it hard to neutralize a dominant Real Madrid side.

 
 
Nani’s offense was a tackle with his foot too high, the victim of the tackle being full back Alvaro Arbeloa, and Cuneyt Cakir was not hesitant in delivering the Portuguese his marching orders.
 
Luiz Adriano’s goal allowed - November 21, 2012 – Group Stages
 
When French referee Antony Gautier allowed Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano’s goal against Nordsjaelland, it raised a controversy as it was seen as a case of bad sportsmanship spirit. An uncontested drop ball was kicked back to the Nordsjaellland goal-keeper.
 
Before the ball reached him, it was intercepted by the striker and sent home. The goal had an indirect impact on sending out Chelsea from the season’s UEFA Champions League.
 
Nesta’s challenge against Barcelona April 3, 2012 – Quarter-Final
 
AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta’s light tug on Sergio Busquets to bring him down in the penalty area gave the Catalan’s a vital edge in last season’s Quarter-final encounter. Most observers failed to see where the Italian had gone wrong. 
 
While Barcelona’s class is argued by hardly anyone, such incidents do no favour the club’s reputation when it comes to the big stage.
 
Jose Mourinho sent off - April 27, 2011 – Semi-Final
 
In an intense UEFA Champions League El Classico, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was sent off when he applauded referee Wolfgang Stark’s decision to send off Pepe.
 
Without the inspirational manager on the sidelines, Madrid found it extremely difficult to overcome its bitter rival, and eventually crashed out of the competition.
 
Robin van Persie’s red card against Barcelona - March 8, 2011 – Round of 16
 
 
In a crucial encounter against the Catalans, Arsenal had to make sure it gave its all in order to secure a place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League. 
 
What it did not need was already booked striker Robin van Persie kicking the ball towards the goal after being called offside. The Dutch striker was shown a second yellow and sent off by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca. Till this day, the Dutch claims to have never heard the offside whistle, with the 90,000 attendance at Camp Nou in top volume.
 
Thiago Motta’s sending off against Barcelona - April 28, 2010 – Semi-Final
 
When the Internazionale defender was sent off in April 2010, replays showed that his fingers had merely brushed the neck of midfielder Sergio Busquets.
 
The second yellow for the centre-back meant that it became exceedingly difficult for the Italians to progress further.
 
Pique’s handball against Chelsea - May 6, 2009 – Semi-Final
 
When Tom Henning Ovrebo failed to see Pique’s handball in the box, it denied Chelsea a crucial penalty that could have dealt a fatal blow to Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League aims.
 
The penalty never came and Barcelona progressed to the final of the competition in 2009, eventually winning the European crown that season.
 
Anelka’s penalty missed - May 6, 2009 – Semi-Final
 
Later on in the same match, Barcelona defender Eric Abidal brought down striker Nicolas Anelka, another foul tat went unnoticed.
 
Chelsea fans and players were equally distraught, with Didier Drogba uttering some harsh words in the camera against the incidents.
 
Luis Garcia’s goal against Chelsea - May 2, 2005 – Semi-Final
 
In an event that further instigated the introduction of the goal line technology, Chelsea were harshly knocked out of the tournament by English side Liverpool, a competition they managed to win in 2005.
 
Liverpool striker Luis Garcia’s strike had never appeared to have crossed the goal line. However referee Lubos Michel believed otherwise and hence helped Liverpool topple its English rival.
 
Interestingly Barcelona, Chelsea and Madrid have been involved in a lot of controversial decisions being made in the last 10 years.
 
Which incidents in your opinion, were the most controversial in the last decade of the tournament ?