Barcelona Plans to File More Complaints to UEFA over Referee Decisions in Champions League

JAKARTA - Barcelona president Joan Laporta said a shameful refereeing decision led to their elimination from the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 WIB. He promised to take this matter to UEFA.

Barcelona won 2-1 at the Metropolitano, but were knocked out of the Champions League on aggregate 2-3 given they lost 0-2 in the first leg last week at the Camp Nou.

Speaking after the match, the injured attacker, Raphinha, said Barcelona had been "robbed". Then, Laporta supported the Brazilian's comments.

"First of all, congratulations to Atletico Madrid for reaching the semi-finals, but that does not diminish the referee's mistake, which is very shameful."

"This is unacceptable. Even in the first leg, we were not given a penalty (because of Marc Pubill's handball) and (Pau Cubarsi) was sent off, even though it should have been only a yellow card because Giuliano (Simeone) did not control the ball."

"The referee made the right decision by giving the yellow card initially - but the VAR demanded a red card which really ruined our chances."

"The referee's decision has had a big impact on the game. In the second leg, the same thing happened again," Laporta said, as reported by ESPN.

After the first leg, Barcelona lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, mainly protesting that they should have been awarded a penalty when Pubill touched the ball with his hand after goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to restart the game.

Barcelona also felt Pubill, who had already received a yellow card, should have been sent off, but UEFA responded this week by saying the Catalan club's complaint was inadmissible.

Laporta lamented more decisions in the second leg, including Eric Garcia's red card in the 79th minute, Ferran Torres' goal being ruled offside, a penalty appeal for a foul on Dani Olmo, and a potential foul when Musso's boot hit Fermin Lopez's face.

The Barcelona president further said that the club would continue to fight UEFA regarding the refereeing standard.

"For Eric's red card, Jules Kounde could have easily reached the ball, so Eric was not the last player. The referee had given a yellow card and VAR was back in action."

"Ferran's goal (offside) is a goal, there is a penalty for Dani Olmo and the aggression against Fermin is unacceptable. His lip is really bleeding. There is not even a yellow card! This is unacceptable."

"We lodged a complaint after the first leg and UEFA said it was unacceptable. We will ask for further explanations."

"The club will also file another complaint because what is unacceptable is what happened to us in the second leg once again," Laporta said.

Meanwhile, first-half goals from Lamine Yamal and Torres had sparked Barcelona's hopes of a comeback, but Ademola Lookman's goal put Atletico Madrid back in front of the game.

After starting very well, the Blaugrana ran out of steam in the second half, with Garcia's red card leaving them to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men.

As a result, the defeat left Barcelona's wait for a first Champions League trophy since 2015 continuing.

However, Lamine Yamal stressed that there were still reasons to be optimistic.

"We gave it everything, but it wasn't enough. It's part of the journey. To reach the top, you have to climb."

"We know it won't be easy. They won't make it easy for us either, but giving up is not an option. We have reasons to be excited."

"We will give everything in the future. Every mistake is a lesson. Don't doubt that we will learn from every mistake."

"We are Barcelona. We will return to where we belong. My parents taught me that you always keep your promises. We will bring (the Champions League) to Barcelona," Barcelona's young star, Yamal, wrote on social media.