MADRID, May 7 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has denied spitting at Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi during Tuesday night's Champions League semifinal.
The incident took place moments after Hakan Calhanoglu scored a penalty in the closing moments of the first half in the game that ended with a 4-3 win for Inter, who booked a place in the final thanks to a 7-6 aggregate win after two thrilling matches.
Calhanoglu's penalty put Inter 2-0 up on the night with the flashpoint between Martinez and Acerbi coming as the Italian ran back celebrating.
"He celebrated in my ear. My reaction was unnecessary but I never spat at him," Martinez commented on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"If I had (spat at him), I would have been sent off, no doubt about that," added the defender.
Martinez was substituted in the 76th minute of the match with a slight muscle strain, but reports said that he will be fit to play Sunday's vital league match at home to Real Madrid, in which Barca can virtually assure this season's title. ■
