Softfootball can confirm FC Barcelona have officially submitted a complaint to UEFA over refereeing decisions in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Atlético Madrid.
Club president Joan Laporta had already confirmed on April 15, 2026, that a formal complaint would be filed, particularly highlighting a controversial handball incident that was not awarded even after VAR review.
Barcelona believe these errors had a direct impact on the outcome of the tie, which saw them eliminated despite a 2-1 second-leg victory, losing 3-2 on aggregate after the first-leg defeat.
According to details shared by Fabrizio Romano on his x handle, the Catalan club argue that several key decisions across both legs failed to comply with the Laws of the Game, citing incorrect application of rules and lack of proper VAR intervention in major incidents.
Romano posted:
OFFICIAL: FC Barcelona complaint to UEFA.
Barcelona has submitted a complaint to UEFA regarding the refereeing performance in the Champions League quarter-final tie played against Atlético Madrid.The club considers that, across both legs of the tie, several refereeing decisions were made that did not comply with the Laws of the Game, resulting from an incorrect application of the regulations and a lack of appropriate intervention by VAR system in incidents of clear significance.
According to FC Barcelona, the accumulation of these errors had a direct impact on the course of the matches and on the final outcome of the tie, causing significant sporting and financial harm to the club.Through this complaint, the Club reiterates the requests previously made to UEFA and, at the same time, offers to collaborate with the organisation with the aim of improving the refereeing system to ensure a more rigorous, fair and transparent application of the Laws of the Game
The club also stated that the situation caused significant sporting and financial damage, while offering to collaborate with UEFA to improve refereeing standards and ensure greater fairness and transparency.
The move marks a strong response from Barcelona following one of the most contentious ties of the Champions League season.
