At a glance
- FC Barcelona lost a Champions League quarterfinal clash 3-2 to Atletico Madrid on aggregate.
- At full-time, Raphinha was caught on camera appearing to tell Atleti supporters that they will be knocked out in the semfinals.
- With a cooler head, however, the Brazilian has apologised.
FC Barcelona forward Raphinha has apologised to Atletico Madrid fans for his actions in the Metropolitano on Tuesday night.
Barca won a Champions League quarterfinal second leg 2-1, but a 3-2 aggregate score in favour of the Rojiblancos meant the Catalans suffered another heart-breaking night on the continent.
At full time, an injured, tracksuited Raphinha appeared to tell a pocket of Atleti fans that their team will be knocked out in the next round.
With the dust settling however, Raphinha has apologised to Colchoneros.
“It was an act committed at a time of tension, in response to a fan who was disrespecting me,” the number 11 said on social media. “I apologize for my gesture, which does not correspond to my values or my character.”
But Barcelona forward Raphinha might still be in hot water with UEFA
His apology might not be enough to keep Raphinha out of trouble elsewhere, however. Post-match, he criticized the officiating by first saying: ““The decisions they made were incredible”.
“Atletico Madrid made I don’t know how many fouls and they didn’t show them any yellows. I want to understand the fear of Barcelona going through,” Raphinha added.
As explained by Mundo Deportivo, however, UEFA could sanction Raphinha for those comments.
That’s if he’s deemed to have violated Article 11 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Code, however. Until then, a three match ban can’t be ruled out for the 29-year-old.
In this instance, he’d therefore miss almost half of Barca’s eight-game League Phase campaign in 2026/2027.
That’d be another hammer blow to Hansi Flick. His side dearly missed last season’s UCL leader in goal contributions over the two-legged quarterfinal with Atleti.
Currently out for around another three weeks, Raphinha could return for May 10’s El Clasico. Currently leading by nine points at the top, Barca can seal a third La Liga crown in four years by beating Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou.
