Barcelona Reports Inconsistent Refreeing to RSFF over loss to Atletico Madrid in Copa Del Rey

Written by Amos Bature

The blaugranas were handed a shocking defeat Thursday in the first leg of Copa Del Rey Semi Final by Atletico Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. A back pass from Eric Garcia to the Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia which slipped through Joan's right foot saw the goalie scampering to save the ball from going to the back of the net unsuccessfully. This mistake led to Barcelona conceding the first goal. Antoin Griezman, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez would later find the back of the net each to hand Barcelona a shocking defeat 4-0. However, some level of inconsistencies were noted in the match officiating as most fouls committed on Barcelona players did not come with consequences as the referee signalled a play on most of the time. For instance, Guiliano Simone made a dangerous tackle on Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde that could have seen Simone sent off but the referee did not even show a yellow card talkless of him being sent off. The most excruciating aspect of the match was the goal scored by Pau Cubarsi in the 52nd minute which could have given Barca a hope of making a comeback was disqualified after eight minutes of review with no immediate explanation given for disqualification.  The refereeing department later gave unacceptable reason of having to restore to manual review as the VAR system was not functioning at the time. 

However Barcelona has compliled photos and videos of similar cases in which some of its goals were disqualified in the past and submitted an official complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation citing instances of inconsistencies and unfair judgements of the refereeing officials. Below is the official statement from FC Barcelona.

𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙁𝘾 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙖 

FC Barcelona confirms that today, Saturday 14 February, the club sent a formal letter to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, addressed to its President, the Head of the Technical Committee of Referees, the Head of VAR and the Director of the Legal Department. In the letter, the club expressed its deep concern over the repeated refereeing decisions which it considers unfair and lacking a consistent standard.

In the document, the club set out a number of key points:

𝟭. 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮

FC Barcelona condemns the existence of differing decisions in incidents of an identical nature, particularly with regard to disciplinary sanctions. The club believes this inconsistency creates a perception of double standards, contrary to the principles of fairness, equality and legal certainty that should govern competition.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The club highlighted inconsistencies in the interpretation of handball offences inside the penalty area, even in matches officiated by the same referees. This lack of uniformity reinforces the impression of arbitrary decisions and a lack of predictability in the application of the Laws of the Game.

𝟯. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘀

Beyond isolated incidents, Barcelona stressed the recurrence of serious refereeing mistakes throughout the season, many of which have been decisive and detrimental to the club. In its view, this accumulation directly affects the integrity of the competition and generates growing mistrust.

𝟰. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗔𝗥

The club raised justified doubts regarding the use and correct application of VAR technology, particularly in marginal, millimetre decisions that were not accompanied by conclusive technical explanations. It also criticised the lack of transparency in the management and publication of VAR audio recordings.

𝟱. 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀

Barcelona questioned the absence of a clear and unified standard for referring referees to the pitch-side monitor, arguing that this contributes to a sense of insecurity and inequality in decision-making.

The club stressed that this initiative is not intended to question the professionalism of refereeing officials, but rather to demand an urgent review of the criteria currently applied, in order to guarantee:

Greater consistency in refereeing decisions

Equal treatment for all clubs

The credibility and prestige of the competitions

FC Barcelona also called for the full publication of all VAR audio recordings, regardless of whether an on-field review took place, considering this an essential measure for transparency and refereeing education.

Furthermore, the club proposed the creation of a specific code or disciplinary framework for refereeing officials, establishing public and transparent consequences in cases of serious errors or negligence, with the aim of strengthening confidence in the system. The club clarified that this proposal is not solely about defending its own interests, but about improving the overall standard of the competition for the benefit of all clubs, preventing similar situations in the future, and ensuring a clear, stable and fair framework for everyone.

Finally, FC Barcelona urged that its requests be examined with the utmost seriousness and that concrete measures be adopted to prevent the recurrence of such situations going forward.