May 8 – Following an epic UEFA Champions League semi-final which saw Inter Milan defeat Barcelona 4-3 after extra time (7-6 on aggregate), Barcelona midfielder Pedri has voiced strong criticism of the match officiating at the San Siro.
The Spanish international called for UEFA to investigate Polish referee Szymon Marciniak’s performance during the match. “It’s not the first time this happens to us with this referee. UEFA should look into it,” Pedri told reporters.
When asked to elaborate, he added: “In the penalty on Lamine [Yamal], which was later given as a free kick, there’s no booking for [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan, which would have been his second booking.”
While Pedri may have a case regarding the bookable offense, his criticism of Marciniak seems harsh considering the Polish official initially awarded two of the match’s biggest decisions in Barcelona’s favour before being overruled by the Dutch Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team of Pol Van Boekel and Dennis Higler.
Barcelona defender Eric Garcia shared Pedri’s frustrations, telling Movistar: “We all know what happened with these [referees] the last time we came here. It’s not an excuse because we have conceded seven goals, but…”
Even Barcelona coach Hansi Flick joined the criticism, though more diplomatically: “I think some decisions were 50-50, always for Inter, but it’s like that. We have to accept it, it’s football. We can be proud about our performance. Sometimes it’s like that, you feel a little bit unfair.”
He added: “Some decisions the referee made were maybe not on our side, but we have to accept it. We start again next season to win the Champions League. This is one of our goals. Maybe I have [said] too much about the referees, so I also want to congratulate Inter, they did a great job in both games, and good luck in the final.”
Marciniak previously officiated a 3-3 draw between the two clubs in 2022. He also notably refereed the 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and France, a match in which he awarded three penalties.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1748500399labto1748500399ofdlr1748500399owedi1748500399sni@o1748500399fni1748500399