Barcelona have lodged a formal complaint with UEFA after they were denied a penalty against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford supporting their protest
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona disappointed during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou
Barcelona have complained to UEFA regarding one Marcus Rashford decision that didn't go their way against Atletico Madrid(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
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Barcelona have submitted a formal complaint to UEFA after being refused a penalty against Atletico Madrid. Barca, already down to 10 men following Pau Cubarsi's dismissal, called for a spot kick after Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball inside the penalty area.
The incident took place during a goal kick in the 54th minute, and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has backed Barca over their frustrations. Atletico's goalkeeper, Juan Musso, played the ball to the already yellow-carded Pubill, who controlled it with his hand, apparently believing the ball was not in play.
Barcelona's players instantly protested for a penalty, but neither on-field referee Istvan Kovacs nor the VAR awarded one, and play resumed from Pubill's pass back to Musso. A comparable incident happened in last season's Champions League when Club Brugge were awarded a penalty against Aston Villa after Tyrone Mings was deemed to have handled the ball.
Yet no such ruling was made on this occasion and Barca, who suffered a 2-0 home defeat, have been left incensed. In a statement released on Thursday, the La Liga heavyweights said: "FC Barcelona announces that, today, the club's legal department has filed a formal complaint with UEFA regarding the events that occurred in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Atletico de Madrid.
"The club believes that the referee's performance was contrary to the regulations in force, directly impacting the course of the match and its outcome. The complaint focuses on a specific incident. In the 54th minute of the match, after play had properly restarted, an opposing player handled the ball inside the penalty area, yet no penalty was awarded."
"FC Barcelona believes this decision, along with the serious failure of VAR to intervene, constitutes a significant error. Consequently, the club has requested an investigation, access to the referee's communications, and, if necessary, official acknowledgment of the errors and the implementation of appropriate measures.
"In this same vein, FC Barcelona believes that this is not the first time that, in recent editions of the UEFA Champions League, incomprehensible refereeing decisions have seriously harmed the team, creating a clear comparative disadvantage and preventing them from competing on equal terms with other clubs."
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford is interviewed
Rashford cut a sad figure in his post-match interview(Image: CBS Sports)
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On-loan United forward Rashford, who scored Barca's first in a 2-1 win over Atleti just four days prior to Wednesday's defeat, expressed his anger over the incident following the final whistle, telling CBS Sports: "It's clear to me: it's a penalty. It's happened before and it's always been given. I don't understand the decision.
"People talk about common sense, but common sense itself tells you it's a penalty. Our reaction reflects that, but so does that of their own players. That counts, too.
"I've been in similar situations in matches where the decision was a penalty. Ultimately, it's hard not to complain when the decision goes against you."
Manager Hansi Flick mirrored Rashford's sentiments, saying: "I don't know what happens in the situation when the goalkeeper starts the game, the defender stops the ball with his hand and then plays again.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Referee Istvan Kovacs shows a yellow card to Marc Pubill of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 08, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Marc Pubill got away without giving away a potential spot-kick(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
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"For me, it's a clear red card, well a second yellow card and a penalty. [The VAR] can explain why it's not [reviewed the play]. I can't believe it's not a red card. It feels not good."
"It feels unfair. We have to accept it. We will fight next Tuesday."