UEFA rejects Barcelona’s handball complaint ahead of Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid


European football’s governing body UEFA on Tuesday rejected Barcelona’s complaint over a handball incident in the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Atletico Madrid hours before the second leg.

Diego Simeone’s side won 2-0 at Camp Nou last week, with Barca upset by an incident in which Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand after it appeared a goal-kick had been passed to him.

«(After the first leg) Barcelona lodged a protest regarding a decision made by the referee. On 13 April 2026, the UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest inadmissible,» UEFA said in a statement.

Five-time Champions League winners Barcelona said last week that the decision not to award a penalty was a «big mistake» that affected the result. He was angry that referee Istvan Kovacs from the VAR team was not told to review the incident.

Published on April 14, 2026



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