UEFA has officially declared FC Barcelona’s formal protest over controversial refereeing in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid as “inadmissible,” dealing a quick administrative blow to the Catalan club just before the decisive second leg.
The ruling, issued on April 13, 2026, by UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, means the governing body will not investigate or review the disputed handball incident involving Atletico defender Marc Pubill.
The Controversial Handball Incident Explained
In the 54th minute of the April 8, 2026, match at Spotify Camp Nou, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso took a short goal-kick. Defender Marc Pubill then handled the ball inside his own penalty area.
Barcelona argued that:
- The ball was already in play once Musso kicked it and it moved.
- Pubill should have been penalised with a penalty kick.
- As Pubill had already received a yellow card earlier, it should have been a second yellow and red card.
Referee Istvan Kovacs and the VAR team ruled that the ball was not yet in play, so no offence occurred. No penalty or sending-off was awarded. This decision left head coach Hansi Flick and the entire Barcelona dressing room furious.
Barcelona described it as a “major error” and a “grave lack of VAR intervention,” claiming it directly affected the match result (they lost 0-2, with Pau Cubarsi also sent off).
Barcelona’s Official Complaint to UEFA
Last week, Barcelona’s legal team submitted a detailed protest. They requested:
- A full investigation into the refereeing decisions
- An explanation for the non-call
- Access to audio recordings between the referee and VAR
The club stated that the refereeing “did not adhere to current laws” and created a competitive imbalance. They referenced similar controversial decisions in recent Champions League campaigns.
Why UEFA Declared the Complaint ‘Inadmissible’
UEFA’s swift response was based on its strict Disciplinary Regulations:
Referee Decisions on the Field Are Final: According to UEFA rules, factual decisions made by the referee during the match (including interpretations of whether the ball is in play or handball situations) cannot be reviewed or overturned by disciplinary bodies after the game. Protests against “factual decisions” are generally not admissible.
UEFA’s official statement was brief and clear: “Following the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, played on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona lodged a protest concerning a refereeing decision. On April 13, 2026, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest inadmissible.”
This means UEFA will not open any investigation, release audio, or acknowledge any error in relation to this protest.