Barcelona protest ‘lack of VAR intervention’ in loss to Atletico Madrid

Barcelona have submitted a complaint to UEFA over a “grave lack of VAR intervention” during their 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Hansi Flick’s side were denied a penalty in the 54th minute of the quarter-final first leg when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball in the visitors’ box.

Pubill, who had received a yellow card earlier in the game, stopped the ball with his hand after goalkeeper Juan Musso had appeared to restart play with a goal kick.

Barcelona players appealed for a penalty, but referee Istvan Kovacs allowed play to continue, and Video Assistant Referee Christian Dingert did not intervene.

“The club considers that the refereeing did not adhere to the current law, directly influencing how the game progressed and the result,” Barcelona said in a statement on Thursday.

“FC Barcelona understands that this decision, along with a grave lack of intervention by VAR, represents a major error.

“Accordingly, the club has requested that an investigation be opened, access to refereeing communications, and where applicable, official acknowledgement of the errors and the adoption of the relevant measures.”

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Atletico were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to a sublime free-kick goal by Julian Alvaraz after Pau Cubarsi had been sent off for the home side.

Cubarsi was initially shown a yellow card after fouling Giuliano Simeone as he broke through one-on-one, but that was changed to a red card when Kovacs was asked by the VAR to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

“The VAR was very focused today for Atletico,” Barca boss Flick said after the game.

“I don’t know what happens in the situation where the goalkeeper starts the game and the defender stops it with the hand and then plays again. For me it is a clear red card, well a double yellow, and then a red card and penalty.”

Alexander Sorloth added a second in the 70th minute to give Atletico their first win at the Nou Camp since 2006.