Trending Now - Barcelona Challenges UEFA on Referee Decisions Amid Controversy

WHO:

ESPN - Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, UEFA, Joan Laporta (Barcelona president), Marc Pubill, Juan Musso, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Fermín López, Stewart Robson, Josip Stanisic, Eduardo Camavinga, Slavko Vincic.

WHAT:

ESPN - Barcelona filed a second complaint to UEFA regarding refereeing standards in their Champions League quarterfinal exit to Atlético Madrid.

ESPN - Barcelona claims that errors made by match officials caused "significant sporting and financial harm" to the club.

ESPN - Atlético Madrid won the quarterfinal 3-2 on aggregate.

ESPN - Barcelona's complaint includes grievances about red cards issued to Pau Cubarsí and Eric García, a penalty not awarded to Dani Olmo, and an offside goal by Ferran Torres that was ruled out.

ESPN - UEFA deemed Barcelona's initial complaint "inadmissible."

WHERE:

ESPN - The events took place in Barcelona, Spain, and the matches were part of the UEFA Champions League.

WHEN:

ESPN - The Champions League quarterfinal matches occurred in April 2026.

ESPN - Barcelona filed their first complaint after the first leg of the tie, which took place on April 4th, 2026.

WHY:

ESPN - Barcelona believes that several refereeing decisions did not comply with the Laws of the Game, impacting the matches' outcomes.

HOW:

ESPN - Barcelona submitted a formal complaint to UEFA and expressed willingness to collaborate with the organization to improve refereeing standards.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 19:26 UTC)

Barcelona has filed a second complaint to UEFA regarding refereeing standards following their Champions League quarterfinal exit to Atlético Madrid, which ended with Atlético winning 3-2 on aggregate. The club claims that errors by match officials, including red cards issued to Pau Cubarsí and Eric García, a penalty not awarded to Dani Olmo, and an offside goal by Ferran Torres, caused significant sporting and financial harm. Barcelona's initial complaint was deemed inadmissible by UEFA, but they are now seeking to collaborate with the organization to improve refereeing standards.