Barcelona say club has filed UEFA complaint over penalty decision vs. Atletico Madrid

Barcelona took issue with a decision involving Atletico's Marc Pubill David Ramos/Getty Images Share full article1Barcelona say they have filed a complaint to UEFA after being denied a penalty during their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. Barcelona took issue with the decision to not penalise Atletico defender Marc Pubill for handling the ball as the visitors took a goal kick in the second half. The Spanish champions claimed the decision, and lack of VAR intervention, was a “significant error” and said the club had requested UEFA investigates the incident. “The club considers that the referee’s conduct contravened current regulations, directly affecting the course of the match and its result,” a club statement read. “FC Barcelona considers that this decision, together with the VAR’s failure to intervene, constitutes a significant error. Consequently, the club has requested the opening of an investigation, access to the referees’ communications and, where appropriate, official acknowledgement of the errors and the adoption of the relevant measures. “In this regard, FC Barcelona considers that this is not the first time, in recent editions of the UEFA Champions League, that incomprehensible refereeing decisions have seriously disadvantaged the team, creating a clear competitive imbalance and preventing it from competing on equal terms with other clubs.” The Athletic had contacted UEFA for comment. The incident occurred early in the second half, when Atletico had a goal kick and centre-backs Pubill and Robin Le Normand lined up either side of goalkeeper Juan Musso. Musso touched the ball with his hand and then played it sideways to Pubill in the penalty area. The defender crouched down and touched the ball with both hands, stopping it on the edge of the six-yard box. He then tapped the ball sideways to Musso, who passed the ball further up the pitch. Some Barca players immediately called for a penalty. Pubill had been booked earlier by referee Istvan Kovacs, so another potential yellow for deliberate handball would have seen him sent off, and both teams playing with 10 men. Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi had been shown a straight red card before half-time for fouling Atletico’s Giuliano Simeone. A similar incident happened between Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez and defender Tyrone Mings in a Champions League game against Club Brugge in November 2024, when the officials ruled that Martinez had put the ball into play, so Mings reaching down to stop it with his hand meant a penalty had to be awarded. Arsenal defender Gabriel, however, was not punished following a similar situation during a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in April 2024 Barcelona manager Hansi Flick voiced his frustration at the decision at full time, telling Movistar TV: “The situation with the handball was very clear. I don’t know why VAR did not enter. We all make mistakes, but these types of situations are why we have VAR. I cannot understand because normally, it’s a penalty and a second yellow, and red (for Pubill).” A free-kick from Julian Alvarez and a second-half goal from Alexander Sorloth earned Atletico a 2-0 win in the first leg of the quarter-final tie. The two sides will meet in the second leg at the Metropolitano on Tuesday. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms