Barcelona Lodge Protest with UEFA Over Suspected Handball in Loss Against Atletico Madrid

The dispute revolves around a moment shortly after the break when Barcelona sought a spot kick after Atletico keeper Juan Musso seemed to release the ball from a goal kick, only for defender Marc Pubill to handle it within the six yard box to regain possession.

Match official Istvan Kovacs permitted the game to proceed, while the VAR officials chose not to review it on screen, prompting strong protests from the Barcelona sidelines.

"Barcelona inform that the club's legal services have submitted a complaint to UEFA today regarding the events in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid," the club stated in an official announcement on Thursday.

"The complaint centres around a specific action. In the 54th minute of the match, after play had been restarted correctly, an opponent player picked up the ball in their area without being shown the corresponding penalty," it continued.

"Barcelona understand that this decision, along with a grave lack of intervention by VAR, represents a major error."

"Accordingly, the club has requested that an investigation be opened, access to refereeing communications, and, where applicable, official acknowledgement of the errors and the adoption of the relevant measures."

Rulings on comparable situations have differed. During the Champions League quarter finals in April 2024, officials denied Bayern Munich a penalty after Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes handled the ball post a apparent restart by goalkeeper David Raya.

Further into 2024, VAR stepped in to grant Club Brugge a penalty in a similar scenario with Aston Villa shot stopper Emiliano Martinez and defender Tyrone Mings.