UEFA complaint looms as Barcelona rage over controversial calls in Atlético clash

The days of the infamous Ovrebo chants are long gone. So, too, the outrage that once surrounded Aytekin. But for Barcelona, the sense of injustice in Europe hasn’t disappeared, it has simply evolved.

Club sources confirmed Wednesday that Barcelona are considering filing a formal complaint with UEFA over the officiating of Romanian referee István Kovács in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Atlético Madrid. Kovács was assisted by German VAR official Christian Dingert.

Barcelona believe Kovács should have awarded a penalty for a handball by Pubill following a goal kick from Musso. Internally, the club is also frustrated that Atlético captain Koke finished the match after a first-half challenge on Dani Olmo that Barça argue should have been deemed a “promising attack” and punished with a yellow card. Instead, the midfielder escaped with only a caution.

A pattern of frustration in Europe

At Barcelona, frustration with officiating is nothing new. It is a recurring theme that has stretched across recent Champions League campaigns.

Last season, head coach Hansi Flick was sent off in Milan after a highly controversial refereeing performance by Szymon Marciniak during the semifinal second leg against Inter. Marciniak reviewed a penalty by Cubarsí on Lautaro Martínez via VAR, but did not revisit a potential penalty on Lamine Yamal following a challenge by Henrikh Mkhitaryan inside the box.

Barcelona also felt aggrieved by a possible foul from Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martín in the buildup to Francesco Acerbi’s late equalizer, which forced extra time just as Barça believed they were headed for Munich. No intervention came from VAR officials Pol van Boekel or Dennis Higler. Nor was there any review of footage showing Acerbi pushing Pedri inside the penalty area.

Controversy stretching back years

The sense of injustice goes back even further.

During the 2022-23 group stage, referee Slavko Vinčić failed to award a clear handball against Dumfries, who blocked an effort from Ansu Fati. VAR did not intervene. Yet in the same match, it did step in to disallow a goal by Pedri for a handball by Fati in the buildup, a decision that left then-coach Xavi Hernández furious.

Weeks earlier in Munich, Barcelona were also denied what they viewed as an obvious penalty on Ousmane Dembélé.

Kovács and Barcelona’s “black legend”

And then there is Kovács himself, whose history with Barcelona is becoming the stuff of club folklore.

Two seasons ago, he sent off Ronald Araújo in a borderline challenge on Barcola in a Champions League quarterfinal. Now, a similar situation has played out with Cubarsí. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was upgraded to a red after VAR intervention, correctly applying the rules, but reinforcing Barcelona’s sense that every marginal call is going against them.

For a moment against Atlético, Barça believed things might finally swing their way. When Kovács placed a hand to his earpiece to review the incident between Musso and Pubill, there was hope he would award a penalty and show a second yellow card to the defender.

Instead, once again, the coin landed the wrong way.

Laporta era marked by tension with UEFA

Notably, many of these flashpoints have occurred since Joan Laporta returned to the presidency in 2021. His strained relationship with UEFA, particularly during the fallout from the European Super League project led by Aleksander Čeferin, has only fueled the narrative among Barça supporters.

Inside the club, there is a growing belief that in every close call, every 50-50 decision, Barcelona keeps coming out on the wrong side.

And after the latest chapter against Atlético Madrid, they may be ready to take that fight beyond the pitch.

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