Barcelona set to lodge official complaint to UEFA following hand ball vs Atletico Madrid

Barcelona are reportedly set to lodge an official complaint to UEFA in relation to the refereeing of their Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat against Atletico Madrid.

On Wednesday (8 April), Hansi Flick’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Atletico at Camp Nou, with Julian Alvarez scoring a free-kick moments after Pau Cubarsí was sent off, putting Diego Simeone’s side ahead.

Despite Barcelona appearing the more threatening of the two sides, with Marcus Rashford hitting the woodwork, Atleti went 2-0 up in the second half on 70 minutes thanks to Alexander Sørloth, meaning they have a two-goal buffer to defend in next week’s second leg at the Metropolitano.

After the match, Barca head coach Flick slammed the match officials and claimed his side should have had a penalty.

In the 54th minute, goalkeeper Juan Musso passed the ball towards Marc Pubill, who leant down and stopped the ball with his hand before passing it back to his team-mate.

Barça is considering filing a formal complaint over the obvious Pubill handball penalty. Not that it will matter.
@santiovalle pic.twitter.com/9LAQd5hxoC

— total Barça (@totalBarca) April 8, 2026

Barca’s bench were incensed by the incident, but the referee waved away protests, allowing the match to continue without awarding a penalty.

Play continued, but many, including Flick, have suggested that Barcelona should have been awarded a spot kick.

“I think they deserved the red card because the goalkeeper plays the ball,” Flick said after the match.

“It’s clear play, and he stopped the ball with his hand. It would be a double yellow, a red card and a penalty. We all make mistakes. We’ve lost 2-0, but we’ve had very good opportunities.

“I’m not sure if Cubarsí touches him enough for a red card. Their goalkeeper passed it to the centre-back, who touches the ball with his hand, and VAR didn’t look at it. What’s the point of having VAR?”

In a separate interview with Movistar, he added: “I don’t know why VAR didn’t intervene… it’s unbelievable. We all make mistakes, but with this type of situation… why do we have VAR? It should be a penalty and a second yellow for the player.”

As reported by AS Diario, sources have confirmed that Barcelona are considering a formal complaint to UEFA over Romanian referee István Kovács' performance.

Barca return to La Liga action at home against city rivals Espanyol on 11 April before the quarter-final second leg on 14 April.