Raphinha slams refereeing after Barcelona’s Champions League exit to Atlético Madrid

Raphinha has criticised the officiating following FC Barcelona’s elimination from the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League, claiming the Catalan club were “robbed” after their quarter-final defeat to Atlético Madrid.

Barcelona were knocked out 3–2 on aggregate despite a 2–1 victory in the second leg at the Cívitas Metropolitano, having lost 2–0 in the first leg in Barcelona.

Raphinha, who missed the tie through a hamstring injury, was also involved in post-match scenes with Atlético supporters, gesturing towards the stands in frustration and appearing to signal that Barcelona would progress further in the competition. He also made a “robbed” gesture towards the crowd after the final whistle.

Speaking to reporters, the Brazilian forward did not hold back in his assessment of the officiating.

“To me, it was robbed,” he said. “Not only this match, but the other one as well. The refereeing was very bad. Incredible the decisions that they made. Atlético made a lot of fouls and the referee didn’t show a single yellow card.”

Barcelona had earlier seen Pau Cubarsí sent off in the first leg, while Eric García also received a red card in the return fixture, incidents which proved decisive across the two legs.

The club had also expressed frustration over several key decisions during the tie, including appeals for penalties in both matches, while lodging complaints to UEFA regarding officiating concerns in the first leg.

“I wish I could understand the fear that they have to see Barcelona winning,” Raphinha added.

Head coach Hansi Flick had also questioned certain decisions after the first leg but declined to comment further after the second, instead acknowledging Atlético’s efficiency across both matches.

“When you see both matches, we were much better than Atlético,” Flick said. “But at the end it’s like that, and we have to accept it.”

Barcelona now turn their attention back to domestic duties, with a La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo next on the schedule. The Catalan side remain top of the table, holding a nine-point lead over Real Madrid after 31 matches.