Raphinha faces two UEFA punishments

UEFA has repeatedly shown that it closely scrutinizes everything that happens on and around the field before, during, and after matches. The second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona at the Metropolitano is no exception. As a result, Raphinha now faces a strong possibility of missing the opening games of next season’s competition.

Raphinha’s postgame comments under review

The Brazilian winger spoke after the match and did so bluntly, making comments that referenced the game being “robbed.” Those remarks have already been flagged by UEFA, which monitors not just on-field action but everything surrounding a match.

There is clear precedent for punishment in similar situations. Years ago, Neymar made comparable remarks and was handed a three-game suspension.

UEFA’s firm stance on respect

UEFA has also sanctioned players for activity beyond the pitch, including social media posts. The governing body has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining respect toward referees at all times, not just during the 90 minutes of play.

That broader scope of oversight means players can face consequences for emotional reactions that cross certain lines, even after the final whistle.

Crowd gestures add to Raphinha controversy

Raphinha’s situation is further complicated by gestures he directed toward the crowd while on the field. Making matters worse, he was not even part of the matchday squad.

Those actions did not sit well with UEFA officials, particularly given recent disciplinary cases. Last season, players such as Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos were sanctioned for gestures toward fans following Atlético Madrid’s elimination by Real Madrid.

With both his comments and behavior now under review, Raphinha appears increasingly likely to face a suspension that could carry over into next season’s Champions League.

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