Inter Milan scored the winning goal in extra time and secured their place in the Champions League final after an incredible semi-final.
The refereeing in the Champions League has come under scrutiny in the wake of Barcelona’s semi-final loss to Inter Milan.
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Barcelona lost in the second leg in Italy, where Raphinha’s late goal was equalised in injury time by Francesco Acerbi to make it 3-3 that night and 6-6 on aggregate.
Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal in extra time in an extraordinary game, and Barcelona star Pedri was furious about a very predictable goal.
In interviews with the media after the remarkable match in Milan, the 22-year-old midfielder did not hold back with his opinions on referee Szymon Marciniak.
“It’s not the first time this has happened to this referee and I think UEFA should look into it,” said the semi-final losing Pedri.
“I find there are things I don’t understand, and that are very difficult to explain.”
“There was a situation with Lamine [Yamal] where I think [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan already had a yellow card. Either it was a penalty or a free kick. Either way, it was a clear yellow card and he should have been sent off.”
“To be honest, I don’t get it.”
Barcelona, who conceded a goal every 30 minutes over the two games against Inter, felt unfairly treated in several situations. But comments like Pedri’s are unhelpful in a time where judges are systematically made scapegoats.
There is a thin but important line between appealing an individual decision and making vague but clear hints about a judge’s integrity.
To suggest bias without concrete examples is a cowardly reaction to a defeat and gives in to the worst conspiratorial tendencies on Football Twitter.
If a UEFA investigation is to be launched, Pedri’s veiled accusation should be its focus, and Marciniak’s representatives could also take an interest in the case.
The Spanish international is an outstanding footballer with many good qualities and started in 13 of Barcelona’s 14 games in this season’s Champions League.
Barcelona’s frustration is understandable. They were moments away from winning a tough game and returning to the Champions League final for the first time since 2015.
But the Catalan giants should reflect on a successful season and an instant classic they lost with the lopsided goal in a 13-goal game, rather than denigrating Marciniak’s reputation because it is convenient.
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