UEFA dismisses Barcelona appeal over handball incident ahead of Atletico second leg
UEFA has dismissed a formal protest from Barcelona concerning a handball incident in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid. The European governing body's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the complaint 'inadmissible' in a statement released on Sunday. Barcelona had appealed after their 2-0 loss at home last Wednesday, arguing that a decision not to award a penalty for a handball by Atletico defender Marc Pubill directly impacted the match.
The appeal, submitted on April 9, centred on an incident where Pubill appeared to handle the ball following a clearance from his own goalkeeper. Barcelona contended that referee Istvan Kovacs made an error and that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) failed to intervene appropriately. In its response, UEFA confirmed it had received a complaint relating to an officiating decision from the match played on April 8, 2026, and formally rejected it five days later.
The dismissal adds another layer of tension ahead of the decisive second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has already expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the pitch in Madrid, raising concerns directly with a UEFA delegate. Video footage showed Flick pointing to specific areas of the turf, with the German coach reportedly worried about the length and dryness of the grass.
Flick's complaints are informed by recent history. In a Copa del Rey match earlier this season, Barcelona suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the same venue, a result partly attributed by some to the challenging pitch conditions. Following that match, even Atletico players, including Koke and Antoine Griezmann, had voiced frustration, stating the surface caused players to slip and made ball control difficult. The club has historically cited a busy event schedule and unfavourable weather for maintenance challenges.
UEFA has reportedly assured Barcelona that all organisational protocols for the match are being followed. The governing body maintains strict guidelines for pitch conditions in its elite competitions, though clubs have limited recourse once an appeal on a refereeing decision is rejected. Barcelona now faces the formidable task of overturning a two-goal deficit away from home, with the controversy surrounding the first leg and the playing surface likely to heighten the atmosphere for the return fixture.
The outcome leaves Barcelona's Champions League campaign hanging by a thread. With the appeal process closed, the focus shifts entirely to the pitch, where Hansi Flick's side must produce a performance of significant quality to progress. For Atletico Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, the upheld result solidifies their strong position as they aim to protect their lead and advance to the semi-finals.
