He FC Barcelona decided to take another step after the controversy experienced in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League and announced that he will file a formal complaint with the UEFA for the action of Marc Pubill that was not sanctioned as a penalty during the 2-0 defeat against the Atlético de Madrid.
The play, which occurred in the second half of the match, provoked a strong reaction from both the Barça bench and those around the club, who consider that the referee’s decision had a direct impact on the development of the match. The controversy grew even more as there was no VAR intervention, something that Barcelona understands as a serious failure on a night that was already marked by tension and frustration.
The move by Marc Pubill that sparked controversy
The action that led to Barça’s protest occurred in the 54th minute, when Atlético’s goalkeeper, Juan Musso, played the ball short inside the area and Marc Pubill took it with his hand before returning it to his goalkeeper.
The sequence immediately perplexed the Barcelona players, who angrily claimed an infringement inside the area. However, the main referee decided to let the play continue and, to the surprise of the Barça team, no review was requested from the video referee room either.
The feeling in the Catalan team was one of total disbelief, especially due to the context of the match and the possible impact that a different decision would have had on the score and the dynamics of the game.
Barça considers that there was a “serious” referee error
In the statement released by the club, Barcelona made its position clear and maintained that what happened cannot be interpreted as a simple dubious play, but rather as a referee action contrary to current regulations.
The Barça club understands that not only was there an error in the referee’s assessment on the field of play, but also a serious omission by the VAR, by not recommending the review of an action that it considers decisive.
The Catalan entity maintains that this decision altered the course of the match and that is why it chose to formalize an institutional protest before UEFA, in an attempt to officially record its displeasure.
István Kovács, at the center of the storm
The focus of the controversy also fell on the Romanian referee István Kovács, in charge of dispensing justice in a match that ended up surrounded by debate.
From the Barça environment they consider that the action was clear enough to be sanctioned in real time or, at least, reviewed from the VAR booth. The fact that neither of the two things happened has further fueled the indignation of the club and its fans.
In a match of this level, with so much at stake and with such a tight tie, refereeing has ended up becoming one of the central topics of the post-match conversation.
The decision could have changed the course of Barcelona vs Atlético
Barcelona’s annoyance is not explained only by the action itself, but by the moment in which it occurred. The Barça team was already in a complex situation in the match, and a possible penalty could have directly modified both the score and the emotional development of the match.
For the club, Pubill’s move represents one of those actions that can completely change a Champions League tie, especially in a series between two direct rivals in Spanish football.
For this reason, Barça’s complaint not only seeks to express discontent, but also to leave a firm position in the face of what it considers an unacceptable situation in a match of this magnitude.
The return in Madrid will arrive with maximum tension
After the defeat in the first leg, Barcelona is now looking ahead to the second leg, scheduled for April 14 at the Metropolitan Stadium, where they will have to try to turn around the series against Atlético.
However, the context with which he will arrive at that match will inevitably be hotter after this arbitration controversy. The feeling of grievance installed in the club can become an additional ingredient in a tie that was already full of sporting tension.
Now, in addition to the football challenge, Barça has also decided to wage an institutional battle off the field.
Barcelona vs Atlético: a controversy that continues to grow
What happened in the first leg already transcends the result. Marc Pubill’s uncalled handball and the lack of reaction from the VAR have opened a new front between Barcelona and UEFA, and have turned refereeing into one of the narrative axes of the series.
At the Barça club they consider that the damage has already been done, but they want to make it clear that they do not intend to let the play pass as just another action. The controversy continues to grow and threatens to accompany the tie until its final outcome in Madrid.
