Football fans were treated to one of the most intense Champions League semi-finals in recent memory, as Barcelona was knocked out by Inter Milan in a dramatic match that ended 4–3 in favor of the Italian team. The nail-biting encounter kept spectators on edge until the final whistle. However, the Catalan side’s heartbreaking exit was marred not just by the defeat, but also by significant refereeing controversy that cast a shadow over Europe’s premier club competition.
In a startling revelation reported by Spanish outlet El Nacional, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stirred global debate by acknowledging serious officiating errors in the Barcelona–Inter Milan clash. He stated that key decisions went against Barcelona and had a decisive impact on the outcome.
During a press conference, Infantino declared that Barcelona was denied a rightful penalty in the second half after Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Lamine Yamal in the box — a foul wrongly judged to have occurred outside the area.
Infantino also criticized the penalty given to Inter in the first half, calling it a “mistake.” He explained that Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí had clearly won the ball without fouling the Inter striker, making referee Szymon Marciniak’s call incorrect.
The remarks triggered a strong response from Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who accused Marciniak of consistently targeting the club and called for UEFA to ban him from officiating any future matches involving Barcelona. Laporta also announced the club would pursue legal action to uphold fairness in officiating.
