Barcelona President Joan Laporta criticized what he termed a “disgraceful” refereeing decision that contributed to Atlético Madrid’s victory in the Champions League quarter-finals, confirming his intention to escalate the issue to UEFA. Despite winning 2-1 at the Metropolitano, Barcelona was eliminated with a 3-2 aggregate loss, following their 2-0 defeat in the first leg at Spotify Camp Nou a week earlier.
After the match, injured forward Rafinha expressed his belief that Barcelona had been “robbed,” a sentiment echoed by Laporta the following day. “First of all, I congratulate Atlético for reaching the semi-finals, but that doesn’t lessen the impact of the referee’s performance,” he stated to reporters.
Concerns Over Refereeing Standards
Laporta pointed out several contentious decisions during both legs of the tie. “It’s unacceptable,” he continued. “In the first leg, we had a penalty disallowed for Marc Poubil’s handball, and Giuliano Simeone was issued a red card when he should only have received a yellow because he was unable to control the ball.”
He noted that while the referee initially issued a yellow card correctly, VAR’s intervention led to the red card that severely affected Barcelona’s chances. “The refereeing decisions significantly impacted the outcome of the tie, particularly during the second leg,” he added.
Official Complaints to UEFA
Following the first leg, Barcelona formally lodged a complaint with UEFA, arguing that a penalty should have been awarded for Poubil’s handball. They also contended that Pouvier, already booked, ought to have been sent off. However, UEFA dismissed these complaints as “unacceptable.” Laporta lamented additional decisions from the second leg, including Eric García’s red card, Ferran Torres’ disallowed goal for offside, and an unaddressed penalty appeal for a challenge on Dani Olmo.
“Even if Eric received a red card, Jules Koundé could have easily reached the ball. He wasn’t the last man,” Laporta stated. “Ferran’s disallowed goal was legitimate, Dani was fouled, and Fermin’s injury should have warranted a serious review. The situation is beyond unacceptable.”
Match Recap and Atlético’s Advancement
Despite a promising start with first-half goals by Lamine Yamal and Torres, hope quickly faded for Barcelona when Atlético equalized through Ademola Lookman. The team struggled to maintain momentum in the second half, battling with ten players after García’s expulsion, all while aiming for their first Champions League title since 2015. Atlético will now advance to face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semi-finals.
Reactions from Players
Post-match, Rafinha gestured toward Atlético supporters, suggesting that their own elimination was imminent. Although he is likely to face disciplinary action from UEFA, he later issued an apology for his actions. “I regret the gesture, which does not reflect my values or character,” he clarified, describing it as a moment of frustration directed at a disrespectful fan.
Teammate Yamal remained optimistic, asserting on social media, “We gave our all, but it wasn’t enough. Every challenge is a part of our journey. We are determined to succeed and will learn from our mistakes. We are Barça, and we are committed to returning to the top.” His sentiment reflects the club’s unwavering dedication to regaining their esteemed status in European football.
This report included contributions from the Associated Press.
