The former Arsenal boss was quick to criticise referee Szymon Marciniak for his U-turn during the classic Champions League clash
10:00, 07 May 2025
Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona speak to referee Szymon Marciniak
Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona pressure referee Szymon Marciniak(Image: Getty Images)
Barcelona star Pedri has called for a UEFA investigation into referee Szymon Marciniak's performance for the defeat to Inter Milan.
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger also hit out the Polish official after the Catalans suffered a dramatic Champions League exit at the San Siro.
The La Liga giants came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 with Raphinha's 87th-minute strike thought to be the winner.
However Inter roared back with veteran defender Francesco Acerbi grabbing a last-gasp equaliser before super sub Davide Frattesi won it for the Serie A side in extra time 7-6 on aggregate.
But it was not their own defending the Barcelona players were fuming at after the full time whistle, but at Marciniak.
The ref awarded Inter a penalty for a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez after VAR sent him to the pitchside monitor. He judged the 18 year old defender caught the Argentine's foot instead of the ball.
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Later in the game he changed a Barca spot-kick into a free-kick after VAR decided Henrikh Mkhitaryan's foul on Lamine Yamal was outside the box by mere inches.
Barca boss Hansi Flick was also left raging on the touchline for Inter's late equaliser claiming Denzel Dumfries fouled Gerard Martin in the build-up.
Blaugrana midfielder Pedri echoed his coach's anger claiming almost every decision went against his team.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it. There are things that are hard to explain," the 22-year-old told El Partidazo de Cope.
“There were many situations.
"Every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a free-kick, he didn’t give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would’ve been his second.”
Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouls Lamine Yamal
Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouls Lamine Yamal
Flick followed his players views in his press conference. "I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50-50 went (Inter's) way."
Arsene Wenger hit out at the decision to award Martinez a penalty - claiming the use of slow motion influence Marciniak's verdict.
"I am highly against these kind of penalties and I am highly against using the slow-motion,’ Wenger told beIN SPORTS.
"At normal pace, this is a great tackle, he’s first on the ball. Why does he touch him?
"Look what Lautaro is doing. He leans into him, he looks for the penalty, he knows he cannot score because he feels the defender there.
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"The referee, in this situation, has not made the right decision. He [Cubarsi] is first to the ball and that’s what counts for me.
"The rest is done by Lautaro. It doesn’t matter if there’s contact, it’s who plays the ball and who wins the ball first."
Arsene Wenger's former side face PSG in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday carrying a 1-0 deficit.