Barcelona revolts after elimination against Inter and direct accusations of referee Marciniak

Anger has reached a boiling point at FC Barcelona following their dramatic Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan. The match, which ended with the Italian team emerging victorious in extra time, has sparked intense criticism from the Catalan camp. Central to this uproar is the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, whose controversial decisions are believed to have played a significant role in Barcelona’s downfall.

The discontent began immediately after the final whistle, with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick openly criticizing the officiating during the post-match press conference. Some players joined in, expressing their dissatisfaction with key decisions made during the match. Hours later, club president Joan Laporta took it a step further by directly accusing Marciniak of being the primary reason for the team’s exit from the competition.

Marciniak, feeling the heat from the Catalan criticism, broke his silence and made bold statements to the newspaper “Cairo.” Dismissing the remarks from Flick and the players as “ridiculous,” he insisted that Inter’s crucial third goal, which pushed the game into extra time, was completely valid. The referee also challenged Barcelona’s hints at pursuing legal action, confidently asserting that his decision-making was sound.

What particularly angered Barcelona fans was Marciniak’s unapologetic tone, especially given the context of a few key moments that could have drastically changed the game’s outcome. One of the most contentious decisions was his refusal to call a handball on Inter’s Acerbi early in the match, a situation that many believe could have given Barcelona a crucial penalty.

Another point of contention came later when Marciniak opted not to award a penalty to Barcelona after a challenge on Kobarsi in the box. To add fuel to the fire, he also chose not to dismiss Inter midfielder Mkhitaryan for a harsh tackle on young sensation Lamine Yamal. These instances have fueled the narrative that Marciniak’s calls favored the Italian side.

Adding to the controversy, a new video surfaced showing Acerbi handling the ball inside the box during a crucial moment when the score was tied 2-2. The footage, previously unseen, has reignited debate and cast further doubt on the referee’s impartiality during the match.

Joan Laporta, deeply frustrated, addressed the media, expressing his disappointment: “We worked tirelessly to secure a place in the final in Munich, but the dream was shattered by decisions that were clearly not in our favor. While we accept defeat, we cannot ignore the role officiating played in this outcome.”

Laporta also announced plans to file a formal complaint with UEFA, demanding that Marciniak be barred from officiating future Barcelona matches in the Champions League. The club’s stance reflects a broader frustration with the consistency of officiating at the highest level of European football.

The loss has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Barcelona fans, who have taken to social media to voice their disapproval. Hashtags calling for justice and fair refereeing have been trending, illustrating the widespread outrage within the Blaugrana community.

For his part, Marciniak has remained firm in his stance, maintaining that all key decisions were made correctly. “It’s part of the job to face criticism,” he stated, adding that he had thoroughly reviewed the game footage and found no fault with his actions.

As tensions simmer, the focus now shifts to how Barcelona will bounce back from this controversial exit. Hansi Flick has called on his players to channel their frustration into winning the La Liga title, emphasizing that the club must not let one night of disappointment define their season.

Meanwhile, reports from “El Nacional” suggest that the club is considering appealing the result, hoping to trigger a review process. Although the chances of overturning the outcome are slim, Barcelona remains determined to hold Marciniak accountable for what they see as a gross injustice.

Fans are rallying behind the team, determined not to let the perceived officiating bias demoralize them. As the dust settles, the Catalan giants must regroup and find motivation in their domestic campaign, as they continue their pursuit of silverware under Flick’s guidance.

This incident adds to a growing list of controversial matches officiated by Marciniak, raising questions about his suitability for high-profile fixtures. Whether UEFA will respond to Barcelona’s complaints remains uncertain, but the controversy is far from over.