Barcelona forward Raphinha has launched a scathing attack on match officials following the club’s elimination by Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Despite a 2-1 victory in Tuesday’s second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium, Barcelona were knocked out on aggregate after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg at home.
Raphinha, who missed the match due to a hamstring injury, expressed his frustration after the game, accusing referees of poor officiating across both legs of the tie.
“To me, it was robbed,” he told reporters. “Not only this match, but the other one as well. The refereeing was very bad. Incredible the decisions that they made. Atletico made a lot of fouls and the referee didn’t show a single yellow card.”
The Brazilian winger also made gestures toward Atletico supporters after the final whistle, appearing to suggest they would be eliminated in the next round, while signaling “robbed” with his hands.
Barcelona’s grievances stemmed from several contentious decisions over the two legs. In the first encounter, defender Pau Cubarsí was sent off in the first half, while Eric García received a red card in the 79th minute of the return leg.
The Catalan side had earlier lodged a complaint to UEFA over a potential penalty not awarded in the first leg, with further appeals for another spot-kick during Tuesday’s match.
“I wish I could understand the fear that they have to see Barcelona winning,” Raphinha added.
Head coach Hansi Flick had also voiced concerns about officiating after the first leg but took a more restrained tone following the return fixture.
“When you see both matches … we were much better than Atletico,” Flick said. “But at the end it’s like that, and we have to accept it.”
Barcelona will now turn their focus to domestic competition, with a league fixture against Celta Vigo next on the schedule. The club currently tops the La Liga standings, holding a nine-point lead over rivals Real Madrid after 31 matches.
Boluwatife Enome
