Barcelona stars have hit out at Polish referee Szymon Marciniak following their Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan, with Catalan media labelling the official a 'Madridista'.
Hansi Flick's side suffered a 7-6 defeat on aggregate after a thrilling two-legged semi-final, with Inter winning 4-3 on the night after extra time.
Barcelona were incensed by several decisions made by Marciniak during the match, with midfielder Pedri calling on UEFA to investigate the official.
The Catalan giants believed they should have been awarded a penalty for an apparent handball by Inter defender Francesco Acerbi.
Barcelona stars have hit out at Polish referee Szymon Marciniak following their Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan, with Catalan media labelling the official a 'Madridista'
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Inter were then awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review for Pau Cubarsi's tackle on Lautaro Martinez, which saw the hosts take a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Barcelona saw a penalty overturned in the second half with Henrikh Mkhitaryan adjudged to have fouled Lamine Yamal outside of the box.
A further appeal for a penalty for an alleged foul by Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martin when Barcelona were leading 3-2 was also highlighted.
This occurred shortly before Acerbi's last-gasp equaliser sent the tie to extra time.
"It's not the first time that this has happened to us with this referee, UEFA should look at it," Pedri claimed post-match.
Barcelona players were visibly frustrated with the referee as they lost to Inter Milan in the Champions League
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"There are things that I don't understand and they are complicated to explain. All 50-50 are for them."
Inigo Martinez was equally frustrated with the officiating.
"Everyone has seen today that the decisions fell on the same side, but I don't want this to be talked about," he said.
"In the end he had to make decisions and he made them that way. It's a shame."
The choice of Marciniak as referee had been questioned by Barcelona-based media before the match at the San Siro.
Newspaper Sport claimed Marciniak has a 'favourable history' for Barcelona's arch rivals Real Madrid.
They highlighted a video showing Marciniak in a changing room near a washbag featuring Real Madrid's badge.
The outlet also cited controversial decisions involving Real Madrid matches, including disallowed goals for Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Mundo Deportivo, another Barcelona-based newspaper, claimed the club were victims of a 'robbery' against Inter.
They described the refereeing as 'scandalous', calling Marciniak a 'Madridista' who 'deprived Barça of a penalty'.
Barcelona boss Flick joined his players in expressing frustration at the official post-match.
The German admitted he told Marciniak 'what I think' after the game, before declining to elaborate further.
"We think that the result is unfair because of some refereeing decisions, I have to say it," Flick said.
"I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50 to 50 ended up being in their favour, that's what makes me sad.
"I don't like to talk about the referee anymore, I've told him what I think, but I'm not going to repeat it here now."
Inter Milan players were jubilant as they beat Barcelona to reach the Champions League final
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Despite Barcelona's complaints, Marciniak has long been viewed as one of the world's top officials.
The Polish referee oversaw the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France.
He also took charge of the 2023 Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Marciniak's credentials are further bolstered by his accolades in the officiating world.
He was awarded the title of World's Best Referee in 2022 and 2023 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
