Champions League: Barça file a complaint over the refereeing.

FC Barcelona hasn’t cooled down. Eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, the Catalan club decided to speak up by filing another complaint with UEFA, directly targeting the refereeing of the two legs. Already fired up after the 0-2 defeat in the first leg, the Barça leadership believes that several disputed decisions weighed heavily on the outcome of the two-legged tie, which ended with a 2-1 win in the return leg. In an official statement, Barça pointed to misinterpretations of the Laws of the Game, but also a perceived insufficient use of the Video Assistant Referee on key incidents.

Among the incidents cited are notably the sending-off of Eric García, a goal disallowed for Ferran Torres, and a controversial incident in the penalty area involving Dani Olmo. All these episodes fed the frustration of the Catalan club and its president Joan Laporta. This move, more symbolic than likely to change the sporting result, aims mainly to draw the European body’s attention to the quality of refereeing. Barça says it wants to open constructive dialogue to improve transparency and consistency of decisions at this level of the competition. In the locker room too, anger is mounting. Raphinha did not hesitate to mention a ‘stolen match’ after the game, reflecting the sense of injustice surrounding this elimination. A strong media outburst, illustrating the persistent tension around refereeing in the Champions League.