Flick Blasts Referees Over Handball Non-Penalty in Barca's Defeat
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticizes referees for not reviewing handball incident in 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid take commanding lead over Barcelona in Champions League quarter-final...
Hansi Flick is fuming after Barcelona's 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The German coach is upset about a handball incident involving Atletico defender Marc Pubill, who touched the ball with his hand inside the box after receiving a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso. Flick believes this should have been a penalty and a red card for Pubill, especially since he already had a yellow card.
Flick expressed his frustration, saying, “I don't know why VAR hasn't been used. The referee... I think he's brilliant. We all make mistakes, but what's the point of VAR?” He also criticized the VAR team, saying, “The VAR was very concentrated on Atletico. It was a German guy. Thanks.” Atletico manager Diego Simeone disagreed, calling it a “matter of common sense.”
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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 8, 2026
Hansi Flick pic.twitter.com/efcVc2ySma
In the first half, VAR intervened, prompting referee Istvan Kovacs to review an incident involving Barca defender Pau Cubarsi, who was booked for felling Giuliano Simeone as he ran through on goal. After the review, Cubarsi was sent off, leaving Barca with 10 men for the second half.
“It was a clear red card. The VAR was very focused today for Atletico, he's a German guy, so thanks Germany,” former German national team coach Flick told reporters, expressing his agreement with the decision.
A similar incident happened in 2024 when Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings was punished for a similar infringement in a Champions League defeat against Club Brugge. This precedent makes Flick's frustration with the non-intervention in the handball incident even more understandable.
Flick believes the VAR officials should have asked Kovacs to review the handball incident involving Marc Pubill, saying, “I don't know why VAR hasn't been used... The VAR was very concentrated on Atletico.”
“For my perspective it's clear, he has to call and say okay come on look at this, the same like before. I don't understand,” added Flick.
“I haven't spoken with the referee. I think it was better not to speak with him.
“We have to accept it, and focus in the match next Tuesday in Atletico. We have the quality, the players who can decide (this game) and we have to fight.”
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo described the non-penalty decision as “absurd but a clear penalty,” while Atletico coach Diego Simeone defended the officials, saying they were correct not to intervene. The controversy surrounds a handball incident involving Marc Pubill, who handled the ball inside the box after receiving a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Araujo's comments highlight the intensity of the debate, with many believing Barcelona was unfairly denied a penalty. Simeone, on the other hand, emphasized that the decision was a matter of common sense.
“There's common sense,” said the Argentine.
“If Marc, who was supposedly receiving a pass to start the play, interpreted it the way he did, and the referee interpreted it the same way Marc did, it's because there is only common sense about the play.”
Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Barcelona at Camp Nou, with Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scoring the goals. This victory gives them a significant advantage heading into the second leg next Tuesday in Madrid.
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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 8, 2026
The match was marked by controversy, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, allowing Alvarez to score a brilliant free-kick. Sorloth doubled the lead in the second half, exploiting a defensive lapse.
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