UEFA has deemed Barcelona’s complaint regarding the officiating in their recent Champions League quarterfinal loss to Atlético Madrid as “inadmissible.”
Barcelona submitted a formal protest to UEFA, arguing that a penalty should have been awarded when Marc Pubill handled the ball, following a goal kick from goalkeeper Juan Musso.
After reviewing Barcelona’s claims, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has concluded that there is no substantial case to consider.
“Following the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Barcelona and Atlético, Barcelona filed a protest regarding a referee decision,” the governing body stated on Tuesday.
“The UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body has declared the protest to be inadmissible.”
Barça coach Hansi Flick expressed frustration after the match, which Atlético won 2-0, highlighting that Pubill should have received a second yellow card as he was already cautioned.
This controversial incident unfolded with the score at 1-0, after Julián Álvarez had opened the scoring for Atlético, following Pau Cubarsí‘s red card.
Alexander Sørloth scored again in the 70th minute, putting Atlético in a strong position going into the second leg at the Metropolitano.
As his team prepares for the second leg in Madrid on Monday, Flick stated he has moved past the initial anger from last week’s officiating debacle and expressed confidence in referee Clément Turpin for the upcoming match.
“I am calm now,” he remarked. “I’ve had enough time. [Turpin] is an experienced referee. No doubts.”
The victor of this tie will advance to face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals.