FC Barcelona have formally lodged a complaint with European football’s governing body after a controversial refereeing decision in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants lost 2-0 in Barcelona, but the focus quickly shifted to a disputed handball incident that occurred early in the second half and has since triggered widespread debate across European football.
Barcelona argue that a clear infringement involving Atletico defender Marc Pubill was ignored after he appeared to handle the ball following a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso, an action that could have resulted in a penalty.
Referee Istvan Kovacs of Romania did not award a spot-kick, and the VAR officials also chose not to intervene, a decision that immediately angered Barcelona players and coaching staff inside the stadium.
In an official statement, the club said the refereeing “did not adhere to the current law,” insisting that the incident had a direct impact on the flow of the match and ultimately the result.
Barcelona further described the decision, alongside what they called a “grave lack of VAR intervention,” as a major error that influenced a high-stakes European fixture.
The club also raised broader concerns, claiming this was not an isolated case and pointing to what it described as a recurring pattern of questionable officiating in recent Champions League campaigns.
They argued that such incidents create an uneven playing field and undermine fairness in elite European competition.
The complaint now places added pressure on UEFA as attention turns to the return leg, which is scheduled to take place next Wednesday in Madrid, where Barcelona will attempt to overturn the deficit.
