FC Barcelona have formally submitted a complaint to UEFA over what they describe as a critical refereeing error during their 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.
The controversy centers on a handball incident that occurred in the 54th minute of the match, played in Barcelona on Wednesday. At the time, Atletico Madrid were leading 1-0.
According to reports, Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand after receiving a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso, seemingly to position it for a goal kick. However, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs allowed play to continue, choosing not to award a penalty.
The decision sparked immediate protests from Barcelona players and coaching staff, who believed the incident warranted a review.
In its official statement, Barcelona expressed strong dissatisfaction with the officiating, stating: “The club considers that the refereeing did not adhere to the current law, directly influencing how the game progressed and the result.”
The club further criticized the role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), describing the lack of intervention as a significant oversight.
They added that the “decision, along with a grave lack of intervention by VAR, represents a major error.”
Barcelona also suggested that similar incidents in recent Champions League campaigns have negatively affected the team, raising concerns about consistency in officiating.
“This is not the first time in recent editions of the UEFA Champions League that unfathomable refereeing decisions have had a detrimental effect on the team, creating a clear double standard and preventing competition against other clubs on a level playing field.”
The second leg of the tie is scheduled to take place next Wednesday in Madrid, where Barcelona will be aiming to overturn the deficit.
