Barcelona Files Official Complaint with UEFA Over Refereeing in UCL Quarter-Final Loss to Atlético Madrid

Barcelona has lodged a formal complaint with UEFA following their 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The club’s legal team submitted the document on Thursday, April 9, 2026, citing a major refereeing error that they believe directly influenced the match outcome.

The complaint centers on a controversial incident in the 54th minute. After Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso took a short goal-kick inside his penalty area, defender Marc Pubill handled the ball with his hands before returning it to the keeper. Referee István Kovács and VAR official Christian Dingert took no action, allowing play to continue without awarding a penalty or issuing a second yellow card to Pubill, who was already on a booking.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s head coach, expressed fury post-match, calling the decision “unbelievable” and questioning the purpose of VAR. “It should be a penalty and a second yellow—red card,” Flick stated, adding that the non-intervention felt unfair, especially after Pau Cubarsí’s first-half red card left his side short-handed.

In their statement, Barcelona argued the handling violated current regulations and demanded an investigation, access to all refereeing communications, official acknowledgment of the errors, and appropriate sanctions against the officials. The club also referenced a pattern of questionable decisions in recent Champions League campaigns that they claim have prevented fair competition.

The tie now heads to the second leg with Atlético holding a two-goal advantage. UEFA has yet to respond to the complaint, but the episode has sparked widespread debate across European football.