Busquets - Dismissal was fair

Barca man defends ref's decision to dismiss Van Persie

rcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets insists Arsenal striker Robin van Persie deserved to be sent off during Tuesday night's Camp Nou clash.

The Catalan giants put an end to Arsenal'sUEFA Champions League dream with a 3-1 victory on the night for a 4-3 aggregate success in an encounter which saw striker Van Persiedismissed.

The Dutchman was shown a second yellow card by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca after shooting at goal just a second after he had blown the whistle for an offside call.

Angry

The official's decision incited an angry response from both Gunners manager Arsene Wengerand Van Persie's team-mate Samir Nasri, prompting Uefa to charge the pair with improper conduct.

But Busquets, whose own-goal on Tuesday gifted Arsenal an opportunity before Barca recovered to seal the win, is adamant the referee's call was justified.

"Maybe you play better with 11 players but the sending off was fair," Busquets said in The Sun.

"He shot after the whistle had gone to waste time."

The defensive midfielder, who was employed at centre-back, added that Barca also had decisions go against them, drawing attention toAbou Diaby's foul on Lionel Messi.

He said: "Even if we start analysing the referee then we should be the ones complaining more, anyway.

"There was a penalty from Abou Diaby on Messi but all of this is over now."

Spain international Busquets feels the Gunners should feel let down by their own display rather than that of the referee.

Ambition

"If anything should disappoint Arsenal it is not the ref but how little ambition they showed," he added.

"Why did they come here only to defend when they're a team that likes to have the ball and play and attack?

"Obviously that is how we played because that is the best way to play and qualify for the next round. It's up to them to answer that."