Pedri calls on UEFA to review referee Marciniak’s display in Barcelona’s UCL exit

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has called on UEFA to review the performance of referee Szymon Marciniak following the Catalan club’s dramatic Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Inter Milan.

The Spanish international expressed frustration at several contentious decisions that he believes played a key role in Barcelona’s 4-3 extra-time loss on the night, which saw them eliminated 7-6 on aggregate.

The match was marred by controversy, with VAR intervening on multiple occasions.

Inter were awarded a first-half penalty after Pau Cubarsí was adjudged to have fouled Lautaro Martínez – a decision that allowed Hakan Çalhanoğlu to convert from the spot and double the Italian side’s lead.

Later in the second half, Barcelona were denied a penalty of their own when VAR overturned a decision following Lamine Yamal’s challenge in the box.

Speaking after the match, Pedri suggested that UEFA should “look into” Marciniak’s officiating, hinting at a sense of injustice in what was a heartbreaking European exit for the La Liga side.

Pedri claims Barcelona were unfairly treated

Speaking to El Partidazo de Cope, he said: “This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it.

“There are things that are hard to explain. There were many situations: every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a foul—he didn’t give [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would’ve been his second.”

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick supported Pedri’s criticism of the match official, adding: “I know that everyone’s disappointed now that we’re out, but it’s because we invested a lot in this match.

“We came back again (into the game), and I think some decisions, like the 50/50 were always for Inter, but it’s like that, we have to accept it. It’s football.

“I’m proud of my team, we gave everything, and sometimes you fell like it’s unfair because some decisions the referee made were not for our side, but it’s like that.

“We have to accept it, and we’ll start again next season. Winning the Champions League is one of our goals, because the fans deserve it. We’ll be back next season in the Champions League.”