Former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi has reportedly expressed his frustration over UEFA’s alleged plans to suspend the referee who officiated the controversial Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, arguing that football officials should not be made scapegoats for difficult decisions made under immense pressure.

The fallout from the highly controversial final continues to dominate discussions across European football, with reports suggesting that UEFA has been reviewing the performance of the match officials following a series of contentious incidents that left Arsenal supporters furious.

While many football figures have reportedly welcomed the possibility of disciplinary action, Mikel Obi is said to be among those who believe the governing body may be sending the wrong message if it chooses to punish the referee.

Speaking during a football discussion show, the former midfielder reportedly questioned whether suspending the official would truly solve the wider issues surrounding refereeing standards in modern football.

“Referees make mistakes. Players make mistakes. Managers make mistakes,” Mikel Obi reportedly said. “I don’t think suspending one referee suddenly fixes everything. These officials are under enormous pressure every single week.”

The former Super Eagles captain suggested that football authorities should focus more on improving training, communication and VAR consistency rather than punishing individual officials after controversial matches.

According to the reports, UEFA’s review was launched after widespread criticism from Arsenal supporters regarding several key decisions made during the final. Social media was flooded with debates over penalty appeals, foul decisions and VAR interventions that many fans felt influenced the outcome of the match.

However, Mikel Obi reportedly warned against judging referees solely based on the reaction of supporters.

“After every big game, one side feels disappointed. That’s football,” he allegedly said. “When emotions are running high, people look for someone to blame. But officiating at the highest level is incredibly difficult.”

The comments have sparked fierce debate among football fans. Arsenal supporters have largely disagreed with the former Chelsea star’s position, arguing that accountability is necessary when mistakes occur on the biggest stage.

Others, however, have supported Mikel Obi’s stance, claiming that referees are increasingly being subjected to intense scrutiny despite having only seconds to make crucial decisions.

The controversy has also reopened discussions regarding the effectiveness of VAR in European competitions. Critics argue that technology was introduced specifically to eliminate major errors, yet controversial decisions continue to generate headlines after some of football’s biggest matches.

Mikel Obi reportedly believes that the focus should be on improving the system rather than targeting individual officials.

“If there are problems, fix the process,” he is said to have argued. “Make VAR clearer. Improve communication. Give referees more support. That is how football improves.”

Meanwhile, the debate surrounding the Champions League final shows little sign of ending. Former players, pundits and supporters across Europe remain divided over whether the referee’s performance warranted disciplinary action.

UEFA has not officially confirmed any suspension, and reports regarding potential sanctions remain speculative. Nevertheless, the story continues to attract significant attention as football waits to see whether Europe’s governing body will take further action.

Should UEFA proceed with any disciplinary measures, the decision is likely to become one of the most heavily discussed officiating cases in recent Champions League history, with opinions sharply divided across the football world.

For now, Mikel Obi’s reported comments have added yet another voice to a growing debate over accountability, refereeing standards and the role of VAR in the modern game—issues that continue to shape discussions far beyond the final whistle.