At a glance
- FC Barcelona lost a gruelling Champions League quarterfinal tie to Atletico Madrid 3-2 on aggregate.
- Both ties were beset by officiating incidents.
- Post-match, following Barca’s 2-1 win on the night in the second leg, Raphinha slammed refereeing decisions and could now face UEFA sanctions.
FC Barcelona forward Raphinha could face UEFA sanctions for his post-match comments at the Metropolitano on Wednesday according to Mundo Deportivo.
“It was a stolen game, there were a lot of problems with the refereeing,” the Brazilian complained, following the 3-2 Champions League quarterfinal aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid.
“The decisions they made were incredible. Atlético 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.
Raphinha’s 2026/2027 Champions League campaign could be affected
Article 11 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Code states that “conduct that is insulting or otherwise in breach of the basic rules of decent conduct” or “conduct [which] discredits the sport of football, and UEFA in particular” can result in a sanction.
For Raphinha, this can mean a ban of up to three games. This means he’d miss almost half of Barca’s eight-game League Phase campaign next term.
With the Blaugrana nine points clear at the top of La Liga, qualification to Europe is already guaranteed.
Once again, however, Raphinha’s absence could be felt on the continent. Though it’s a team sport, many Culers lamented his absence in the Atleti tie through a muscle injury.
Raphinha is currently sidelined for another three weeks thanks a knock picked up on international duty for Brazil. Had he featured, however, he’d have provided an attacking threat that Marcus Rashford and Fermin Lopez couldn’t replicate across the two legs.
Raphinha is set to return for the Clasico
As things stand, Raphinha’s return is pencilled in for El Clasico on May 10. Given Barca’s points lead, it’s possible they wrap up the title against Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou.
After once again tasting heartbreaking pain in the Champions League, achieving this feat can provide solace to crestfallen Culers.
