Raphinha has criticized the officiating in FC Barcelona’s Champions League quarter final defeat calling the decisions a robbery after their elimination by Atletico Madrid. The comments came after a controversial two leg tie that saw Barcelona reduced to 10 men in both matches.
Barcelona won the second leg 2-1 but were unable to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first match, losing 3-2 on aggregate. The tie was marked by key refereeing decisions, including red cards in both legs that significantly impacted the team’s chances of progressing in the competition.
In the second leg, defender Eric Garcia was sent off late in the game by referee Clement Turpin following a VAR review. A similar situation occurred in the first leg, where Pau Cubarsi was dismissed after his yellow card was upgraded. Both decisions were linked to denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, a rule that often leads to stricter punishment.
Raphinha’s comments reflect frustration within the Barcelona camp, with players and staff questioning the consistency and interpretation of refereeing decisions. Controversial calls, particularly those involving VAR, continue to be a major talking point in high stakes matches.
The result ends Barcelona’s Champions League campaign, while Atletico Madrid advance to the next stage. The match has reignited debate around officiating standards and the role of video review in shaping outcomes at the highest level of football.
