UEFA Bans Referee Szymon Marciniak After Controversial Barcelona–Inter Milan Clash
The Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Inter Milan has ignited major controversy following a series of contentious refereeing decisions by Polish official Szymon Marciniak. Many observers felt that Marciniak was excessively lenient at key moments, disrupting the rhythm of the match and potentially influencing the outcome. His performance sparked outrage among Barcelona supporters, who felt their team had been treated unfairly.
In the wake of the backlash, Sport, a Catalan outlet, reports that UEFA has taken decisive action by barring Marciniak from officiating any European finals—namely, the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League deciders. This move comes as part of UEFA’s response to widespread criticism and aims to uphold the credibility of its officiating standards.
Marciniak, once considered a front-runner to referee this season’s Champions League final, will now be excluded from some of the most prestigious appointments in European football. UEFA’s strong response is seen as a clear message that officiating missteps in crucial matches will carry serious consequences.
This ruling could mark a major setback in Marciniak’s officiating career and underscores UEFA’s effort to safeguard the integrity of its competitions going forward.
