Earlier today, FC Barcelona filed another formal complaint with UEFA over the inconsistent and controversial refereeing across their two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid.
One of the biggest grievances that Barça had in the tie was the penalty they were denied in the first half for a handball by Marc Pubill.
The Atletico Madrid right-back stopped the ball with his hand after receiving a pass from his goalkeeper Juan Musso, with the Rojiblancos and referee Istvan Kovacs maintaining that the ball was not in play at the time.
Pubill breaks his silence
Pubill, who missed the second leg of the quarter-final tie due to suspension, spoke to the media today, where he broke his silence about the incident.
“UEFA has already given its version, so there’s no need to elaborate. My opinion is clear: you can never whistle for that, so I have nothing more to say,” he stated, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Pubill’s handball was not called by the referee or the VAR. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Pubill also described last Tuesday’s second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Barcelona, which saw Atlético qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, as “magical”.
“Doing it in front of our fans was beautiful,” he added.
Barcelona had lost the first leg of the quarter-final tie 2-0, after being reduced to ten men because of Pau Cubarsi’s red card.
Had Pubill’s handball been called by the referee, not only would the Blaugrana have earned a penalty, but the Atletico Madrid star would also have been sent off, meaning both teams would have been left with ten men.
However, it was not to be, much to the frustration and anger of Barcelona, who will now look to focus on sealing the La Liga title.
