Barcelona may request UEFA to investigate referee after defeat against Inter in Champions League

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**Barcelona may request UEFA to investigate referee after defeat against Inter in Champions League**

**May 07, 2025**

Barcelona’s midfielder Pedri is seeking clarification! Did the official make the wrong calls?

© Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Barcelona’s midfielder Pedri is seeking clarification! Did the official make the wrong calls?

By Francisco Quatrin

Barcelona has raised serious concerns about the referee from Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, alleging a connection to Real Madrid after their elimination by Inter Milan. There appears to be growing unease.

The Catalan side endured a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat in extra time during the second leg at San Siro, losing the overall tie 7-6 and missing the chance to reach their first final since 2015. It’s a situation they’d rather not relive.

Despite trailing 2-0 at the break, Barça mounted a comeback to take a 3-2 advantage in the 87th minute, with Raphinha appearing to net the crucial goal. A wave of satisfaction seemed to wash over them.

However, 37-year-old defender Francesco Acerbi, playing as an emergency striker, equalized during stoppage time, forcing extra time. Davide Frattesi then sealed Inter’s place in their second Champions League final in three years. That surely brought them a sense of triumph.

**Refereeing controversies**

Barcelona felt multiple calls went against them, prompting Pedri to ask UEFA to review referee Szymon Marciniak’s performance. This echoed Hansi Flick’s assertion that Inter benefited from the “50-50 decisions”. Trust in the process was clearly shaken.

As per Sergi Capdevila from SPORT, the club was particularly upset about a missed foul on Gerard Martin that led to Inter’s stoppage-time equalizer, and a potential handball by Acerbi. These moments are likely to linger.

**Claims and prior incidents**

SPORT, citing the Daily Mail, criticized the Polish referee, suggesting his UEFA appointment was “met with skepticism” due to “previous controversies,” such as “the video in which he can be seen in the locker room with a Real Madrid bag”. The implications are raising eyebrows.

The report also mentioned that Marciniak, who officiated both the 2022 World Cup final and 2023 Champions League final, was the referee in Real Madrid’s penalty shootout win over Atletico in the round of 16 – where he noted Julian Alvarez’s double touch. Every detail could matter.

Further incidents were mentioned, like disallowed goals for Bayern Munich and Chelsea in games Marciniak officiated. The accuracy of such claims, however, remains uncertain.

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See also:

Barcelona players question Lewandowski? Reports of possible privileges for the forward

**Flick’s discontent**

Flick, who led Bayern to Champions League glory in 2020, was incensed by the decision to validate Inter’s third goal and received a booking for protesting. His frustration was evident.

After the match, he expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating but stopped short of excessive criticism. His remarks hinted at deeper concerns.

“We think that the result is unfair because of some refereeing decisions, I have to say it,” Flick stated.

“I don’t want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50 to 50 ended up being in their favor, that’s what makes me sad”.

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