Club request thorough investigation into incident and claim “incomprehensible refereeing decisions” have held the team back for years
Barcelona have lodged a formal complaint with Uefa for what they perceive to be an unfair refereeing decision in their 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The incident in question occurred in the 54th minute at Camp Nou, with Atletico already leading 1-0 through Julian Alvarez’s late first-half freekick. Defender Marc Pubill, who had already been booked, handled the ball inside the penalty area after goalkeeper Juan Musso restarted play.
Barcelona appealed for a penalty and a second yellow card, but referee Istvan Kovacs waved play on, and VAR official Christian Dingert did not intervene.
In a statement, the club confirmed: “The club’s legal services have filed a formal complaint with Uefa regarding the events that occurred in the first leg of the Uefa Champions League quarterfinal match played against Atletico Madrid.
“The club believes that there was refereeing conduct contrary to current regulations, with a direct impact on the course of the match and its result.
“The complaint focuses on a specific incident. In the 54th minute of the match, after play had correctly resumed, an opposing player handled the ball inside the penalty area without a penalty being awarded.
“Barcelona consider that this decision, together with the serious lack of intervention from VAR, constitutes a significant error. Consequently, the club has requested the opening of an investigation, access to the referees’ communications and, where appropriate, official acknowledgment of the errors and the adoption of the relevant measures.
“In this same regard, Barcelona consider that this is not the first time that, in recent editions of the Uefa Champions League, incomprehensible refereeing decisions have seriously harmed the team, creating a clear comparative disadvantage and preventing them from competing on equal terms with other clubs.”
Barcelona were already down to 10 men at the time after Pau Cubarsi had been sent off. Atletico extended their lead in the 70th minute through Alexander Sorloth to take a 2-0 advantage into the second leg at the Metropolitano.
Head coach Hansi Flick expressed his frustration after the match, insisting the decision was clear.
“For me, it’s a clear red card, well a second yellow card and a penalty,” Flick said.
“[VAR] can explain why it’s not. I can’t believe it’s not a red card. It feels not good. It feels unfair.
“The VAR was very focused today for Atletico. It’s a German guy, so thanks Germany.”
