Barcelona Submit Formal UEFA Complaint Over "Grave" VAR Failures in Champions League Defeat

FC Barcelona formally challenges UEFA over "grave" VAR errors during their 2-0 defeat to Atletico, demanding access to referee audio and a formal investigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 8:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from beIN SPORTS

The Catalyst for Institutional Escalation

The legal department of FC Barcelona filed a formal grievance with UEFA on April 9, 2026, centering on a controversial sequence in the 54th minute of their first-leg clash against Atletico Madrid. The club contends that a "grave lack of intervention" by the VAR team, led by Christian Dingert, allowed an obvious penalty offense to go unpunished. According to the club’s official statement, the refereeing performance did not adhere to the current laws of the game, creating a "significant error" that undermined the integrity of the competition’s knockout phase.

The Bizarre Hand-Ball Incident in Question

The primary focus of the dispute is a moment involving Atletico defender Marc Pubill. After goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to restart play with a short pass from a goal kick, Pubill picked the ball up with his hand inside the penalty area to retake the kick. While Barcelona players immediately appealed for a handball, referee Istvan Kovacs allowed play to continue, and the VAR failed to recommend an on-field review. Barcelona has highlighted a direct precedent from the previous season, citing a similar incident where Tyrone Mings was penalized in a match between Aston Villa and Club Brugge, to argue for consistency in UEFA’s application of the rules.

Hansi Flick Critiques Officiating Priorities

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was vocal in his dissatisfaction following the 2-0 loss at the Spotify Camp Nou. Flick suggested that the officiating team displayed a selective focus, noting that while the VAR was proactive in upgrading Pau Cubarsi’s yellow card to a red in the 44th minute, it remained dormant during the Pubill handball. The German coach sarcastically remarked that the VAR "wasn't very focused" on Barcelona’s behalf, arguing that a penalty and a potential second yellow card for Pubill would have completely shifted the momentum of the tie.