UEFA Rejects Barcelona Complaint Over Refereeing in Atletico Madrid Loss

UEFA tosses Barcelona’s Atletico complaint

UEFA rejected Barcelona’s complaint over officiating in their 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid. Barca argued for a penalty after a disputed goal-kick sequence, but UEFA deemed the appeal inadmissible. The second leg is Tuesday.

Barcelona penalty appeal dismissed by UEFA after Champions League Defeat...

UEFA has dismissed Barcelona’s complaint about the refereeing in their 2-0 home loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, the governing body confirmed Tuesday.

Barcelona called for a penalty after Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to put the ball back into play from a goal kick before defender Marc Pubill handled it inside the six-yard area to retake it.

Julián's golazo 📽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/UOMU5zOZRa

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2026

Referee Istvan Kovacs waved play on, and the VAR team did not send him to the monitor.

Barcelona lodged an official complaint on Thursday, but UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body deemed it inadmissible.

“Following the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg played on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, FC Barcelona filed a protest relating to a referee decision. On 13 ‌April 2026, the UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared ‌the protest to be inadmissible,” UEFA said in a statement.

Barcelona and Atletico meet in the second leg later Tuesday.