UEFA Defends Referee Marciniak After Barcelona Uproar
UEFA has issued a firm defense of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak following the heated backlash from Barcelona over his controversial officiating in their Champions League semi-final second leg loss to Inter Milan.
The match, which saw Inter eliminate Barcelona 4–3 on aggregate, was marred by several contentious decisions that drew sharp criticism from Joan Laporta, manager Hansi Flick, and players such as Pedri, Ronald Araújo, and Gavi. Many in Catalonia blamed Marciniak for tipping the balance unfairly.
In response to inquiries from Marca, UEFA stated there were “no problems” with Marciniak’s performance, showing full confidence in the referee and dismissing claims of error or bias.
This response has fueled further outrage in Catalonia, where fans and pundits believe the referee’s calls—particularly a controversial penalty awarded to Inter—played a key role in Barcelona’s elimination.
Adding to the controversy, Marca reports that Marciniak is now in contention to referee the Champions League final, especially following PSG’s advancement. He may even replace Clément Turpin, who was previously seen as the frontrunner.
Despite the uproar, UEFA’s unwavering backing of Marciniak signals that he remains one of their most trusted officials and is likely to feature prominently in upcoming international competitions, including the Club World Cup in the U.S. next summer.
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