At A Glance
- Laporta Reacts: FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta has strongly criticised the refereeing performance in the Atletico Madrid UCL quarterfinal loss, calling it “a disgrace and unacceptable.”
- Key Incidents: Barcelona point to multiple decisions, including a denied penalty on Dani Olmo and a disallowed goal from Ferran Torres.
- Next Step: The club will file an official complaint following the match.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a fierce response following the controversial refereeing decisions in the club’s recent Champions League quarterfinal clash, labelling the officiating as “a disgrace” and confirming that an official complaint will be filed.
Speaking after the match, Laporta did not hold back in his criticism. He listed several key incidents that he believes directly impacted the 3-2 overall result in Atletico Madrid’s favour.
“The refereeing was a disgrace and unacceptable,” Laporta stated, making clear the club’s frustration with how the game was handled.
Laporta Highlights Key Controversial Moments against Barcelona
Laporta specifically pointed to a number of decisions that Barcelona feel went against them. Among the most significant was a penalty appeal involving Dani Olmo. The midfielder received a push from Marcos Llorente, and the club believe a spot kick should’ve been awarded.
“Olmo going down in the box was a penalty,” Laporta said. He also referenced a dangerous challenge on Fermín López, claiming it warranted a harsher punishment: “There was a kick in the face on Fermín.”
Further frustration came from the dismissal of Eric García, which Laporta believes was unjustified. A disallowed goal from Ferran Torres should have stood too.
“It wasn’t a red card to Eric García, Ferran’s disallowed goal was a goal – it was unacceptable,” he added.
Strong Words on Refereeing Narrative
Beyond the specific incidents, Laporta addressed the broader narrative surrounding refereeing decisions involving Barcelona.
“Whoever says that Barcelona receives treatment from the referees is shameless,” he said. “What they’ve done to us is intolerable. They’ve harmed us greatly.”
His comments reflect a growing frustration within the club, particularly following recent controversial moments in key fixtures.
Official Barcelona Complaint to Follow
Laporta confirmed that Barcelona will take formal action, with the club set to file an official complaint regarding the officiating.
“We will be filing an official complaint,” he vowed, underlining the seriousness of the club’s stance.
While such actions rarely change match outcomes, they are often aimed at demanding accountability and ensuring greater consistency in future decisions.
For Barcelona, this latest development adds further tension to an already high-stakes period of the season, with the focus now shifting from the pitch to potential fallout from the controversy.
