Barcelona is preparing to formally protest a series of contentious officiating decisions during their 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, . The club’s interim president, Rafa Yuste, has vowed to demand explanations for what he described as a “shameful” performance by the referees.
The controversy centers on two key incidents. In the 52nd minute, a goal by young Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR review that took over six minutes. Frustratingly for Barcelona, the semi-automated offside technology typically used in the competition was not functioning during the match, forcing officials to rely on manual line-drawing. Players reportedly questioned the officials after the game, and were told the system was experiencing technical difficulties.
“They said something about the system being broken, but then I saw an image where it’s clear that it wasn’t offside,” midfielder Frenkie de Jong stated, expressing his disbelief. “If the call is based on the replay I saw, and if it’s not AI or something like that, because you never know these days … But if that’s the replay, then it’s a scandal, because it’s crystal clear.”
Adding to Barcelona’s grievances was a series of challenges by Atlético Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone on Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde that went unpunished. Manager Hansi Flick felt Simeone should have received a yellow card for an early foul, setting a tone for the remainder of the match. Later, Simeone committed another forceful tackle on Balde that Barcelona players and staff believed warranted a red card, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Defender Eric García voiced the team’s frustration, stating, “The truth is, none of the referees’ decisions have gone our way lately. Giuliano’s tackle on Balde was a clear red card. It’s these kinds of decisions where it seems easy to make calls against us.”
The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Atlético Madrid dominating from the start and racing to a 4-0 lead before halftime. The defeat represents a significant setback for Barcelona’s hopes of winning the Copa del Rey, leaving them with a daunting task in the second leg at Spotify Camp Nou. Notably, Eric Garcia also became the first Barcelona player to be both sent off and score an own goal in the same match since at least the season.
Despite the heavy defeat and the controversial decisions, Barcelona officials are attempting to maintain a positive outlook. Hansi Flick acknowledged the poor performance but emphasized the importance of fighting for a comeback in the return leg. “We have two more halves and we’ll fight,” Flick said. “If we win 2–0 in each half … We’ll need our fans at home.”
Eric García echoed Flick’s sentiment, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to turn the tie around. “One can turn it around,” he insisted. “We’ve made some great comebacks at this stadium, but there are still 90 minutes to play and with the squad we have we can turn it around. I think we’re a better team than them.”
Rafa Yuste, speaking after the match, was scathing in his assessment of the officiating. He stated that Barcelona “will not let this go” and will “demand an explanation” for the lengthy VAR delay and the perceived errors in judgment. He described the situation as “unacceptable,” highlighting the eight-minute wait for a decision on Cubarsí’s disallowed goal.
The formal complaint is expected to be filed with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The incident raises broader questions about the consistency and reliability of VAR implementation in Spanish football, particularly concerning the availability and functionality of semi-automated offside technology. The outcome of Barcelona’s protest could have implications for future officiating assignments and the protocols surrounding VAR reviews in the Copa del Rey and La Liga.
The second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final is scheduled to be played at Spotify Camp Nou, with Barcelona facing a significant uphill battle to overcome the 4-0 deficit and advance to the final.
