Barcelona Erupts in Fury After Inter Defeat, Targets Referee Marciniak
Tensions ran high in Barcelona after their painful Champions League semi-final elimination at the hands of Inter Milan. The second-leg clash ended in dramatic fashion with the Italian side advancing in extra time.
However, what truly ignited outrage in Catalonia was the performance of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, whose controversial decisions left Barcelona players, staff, and fans incensed. Many within the club believed Marciniak played a decisive role in determining the match’s outcome.
Following the final whistle, head coach Hansi Flick voiced his frustration during the post-match press conference, joined by several players who echoed the same sentiments.
The uproar intensified when Barcelona president Joan Laporta directly blamed Marciniak for the club’s exit, declaring him chiefly responsible for their Champions League heartbreak.
In response to the growing criticism, Marciniak made headlines with bold comments to Al-Qahira newspaper. Dismissing Barcelona’s complaints, he called the remarks from Flick and his players “ridiculous” and defended the legitimacy of Inter’s crucial third goal, which forced the match into extra time. Addressing threats of a formal protest from Barcelona’s Pedri, Marciniak remained defiant, stating, “I am ready for anything.”
The referee’s handling of the match was littered with contentious moments that have since fueled debates among fans and pundits alike. Among them was an early possible handball incident involving Acerbi, a questionable penalty awarded to Inter’s Koparsi, and a contentious red card shown to Mkhitaryan for a tackle on Barcelona’s young talent, Lamine Yamal. Moreover, many questioned Marciniak’s decision to allow Acerbi’s decisive goal to stand, despite a suspected foul by Dumfries on Gerard Martin in the buildup.
Adding to the controversy, new footage surfaced online showing a double handball by Acerbi inside the penalty box during a key moment when the match was tied 2-2. This incident was missed by both the on-field officials and the VAR team, further casting doubt over the quality of officiating in such a critical fixture.
Laporta has since vowed to take action. He emphasized the players’ determination and effort but insisted that poor refereeing ultimately cost them the chance to reach the final in Munich.
According to El Nacional, the Barcelona president plans to submit an official complaint to UEFA, demanding that Marciniak be banned from officiating their future matches and possibly suspended, labeling his decisions in the semi-final as disastrous.
Leave a Reply