Atletico Madrid were 2-0 victors at the Camp Nou after Flick’s side went down to 10 men just before half-time
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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tore into the officiating after his side's 2-0 home defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, raging over a second-half penalty call and Pau Cubarsi's red card that left his team a man down before half-time.
Flick's anger centred on an incident in the 53rd minute when Barca appealed for a penalty.
Goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to have put the ball in play from a goal kick before defender Marc Pubill handled it inside the six-yard box to retake the goal kick. Referee Istvan Kovacs waved play on and the VAR crew did not call him to the monitor, sparking animated protests from the home bench.
Hansi Flick raged at the officiating after his side were dealt a huge Champions League blow in the last-eightopen image in gallery
Hansi Flick raged at the officiating after his side were dealt a huge Champions League blow in the last-eight (REUTERS)
Flick told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus: "I don't know why VAR hasn't been used. The referee ... I think he's brilliant. We all make mistakes, but what's the point of VAR?
“I just can't understand it. It should have been a penalty, a second yellow and a red card as he already had a booking. This is exactly what shouldn't happen.”
Atletico manager Diego Simeone saw it differently.
"It's a matter of common sense," Simeone told reporters.
"The referee saw it as it was. That Marc (Pubill) received what appeared to be a pass from his teammate to start the move, the referee saw it the same way as Marc saw it. Then we can look at as many situations as we like."
Pau Cubarsi's dismissal was the start of Barcelona's collapse against Atleticoopen image in gallery
Pau Cubarsi's dismissal was the start of Barcelona's collapse against Atletico (REUTERS)
Barcelona had already been reduced to 10 men in the 44th minute when Cubarsi was sent off for hauling down Giuliano Simeone as the last man. Julian Alvarez brilliantly curled in the resulting free kick before the interval and Alexander Sorloth sealed the win after the break.
Flick also questioned the dismissal.
"I'm not sure if he made enough contact because the ball was behind him; I'm not entirely sure," he said.
"I don't know. It might be, or it might not be. I don't know if he touched him enough. But in other situations, when the ball is touched by the hand, it's very clear to me."