Barcelona Revolts After Inter Elimination, Direct Accusations Against Referee Marciniak
Tensions have boiled over at FC Barcelona following their dramatic Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan, with club officials, players, and fans directing intense criticism at Polish referee Szymon Marciniak. The second-leg match, which ended with Inter advancing after extra time, has become the center of controversy due to several questionable refereeing decisions that Barcelona believes played a decisive role in their elimination.
Laporta Leads the Backlash
Barcelona president Joan Laporta wasted no time in condemning the officiating. Speaking publicly, he held Marciniak directly responsible for the result, stating:
“We failed to qualify due to refereeing decisions that did not go in our favor. This injustice should serve to strengthen us. We will come back stronger in the Champions League next season.”
According to El Nacional, Laporta is set to file a formal complaint with UEFA demanding that Marciniak be barred from officiating any future matches involving the club and even suspended for what Barcelona describes as a “disastrous” performance.
Marciniak Responds to the Storm
In a move that only intensified the backlash, Marciniak responded to the accusations in an interview with Al-Qahira newspaper, calling the criticisms “ridiculous” and standing by his decisions.
“Inter’s third goal was absolutely valid,” he asserted, adding, “I’m ready for anything,” in response to Barcelona’s possible formal appeal.
Key Controversies from the Match
Several pivotal moments during the match have drawn scrutiny:
- A potential handball by Francesco Acerbi early in the match went unpunished.
- A controversial penalty awarded to Inter’s Koparsi sparked fury among fans and pundits.
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan was shown a red card for a challenge on Lamine Yamal, a decision some felt was harsh.
- A contentious non-call on a foul by Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martin led directly to Acerbi’s decisive goal.
- Most damningly, new video footage has emerged showing what appears to be a double handball by Acerbi on Pedri inside the penalty area when the match was tied 2–2—an incident entirely overlooked by the officials.
Club and Fan Outrage Grows
The Catalan press, players, and supporters have united in their outrage. Head coach Hansi Flick and several players expressed frustration in the post-match press conference, while Barcelona fans have taken to social media and radio programs in protest.
The match has now become a flashpoint for wider concerns about officiating in Europe’s top competition. With UEFA expected to review the formal complaint, the fallout from this semi-final could have lasting consequences—not only for Marciniak but for refereeing standards in the Champions League as a whole.
