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Barcelona Files UEFA Complaint Over Non-Called Handball in Atlético Clash

Barcelona seeks access to referee communications over a disputed handball on a restarted goal-kick.

Overview

  • Barcelona lodged an official protest with UEFA the day after the 0-2 first‑leg loss, seeking an investigation and access to referee communications, and UEFA has not announced any findings.
  • The dispute turns on a 54th‑minute restart when Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso took a goal‑kick to Marc Pubill, who stopped the moving ball with his hand on the goal‑area line and played it back without a penalty being given.
  • Under the rules, a goal‑kick must be taken with the foot and handling the ball in the penalty area is a foul that can lead to a penalty kick, which Barcelona says should have been awarded.
  • Coach Hansi Flick criticized the officials, said the play warranted a penalty and a second yellow for Pubill, and urged the video assistant referee to send the referee to the monitor.
  • Analysis in German media questions the need for a caution in this situation and highlights uneven precedents, including a similar non‑call with Arsenal in April 2024 and other matches where such handling did lead to penalties.