Furious Barça Questions VAR After Crushing Defeat
Sports Updated: 14 February 2026 00:04 EAT
Antoine Griezman celebrated scoring against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey
Barcelona are reeling after a 4–0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, with the club publicly questioning the refereeing and VAR interventions during the match. Officials and players have expressed strong dissatisfaction over decisions they believe directly influenced the outcome.
A key point of contention was a goal by Pau Cubarsí that was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review. Club sources say the decision was unclear and inconsistent, adding to frustration over the semi-automated offside system reportedly malfunctioning during the match.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong described the disallowed goal as a “scandal,” highlighting the prolonged review process and questioning the fairness of the ruling. Defender Eric García, who was sent off later in the game, also criticized the officiating for perceived inconsistencies.
García’s red card came after a challenge that Barcelona felt was comparable to previous fouls in the match, which went unpunished. The club views the decision as emblematic of broader officiating issues affecting their performance.
Sources indicate that Barcelona is considering filing an official complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), citing both the disallowed goal and the red card as key grievances that merit review.
The Referees Committee has defended the decisions, explaining that technical issues with the semi-automated VAR system caused delays and that the rulings were in line with existing protocols. However, the full VAR audio and footage have not been released, fueling further debate.
Fans and pundits have joined the conversation online, with many expressing sympathy for Barcelona’s concerns and criticizing the perceived lack of transparency in officiating decisions. Analysts warn that continued controversies could prompt a review of VAR protocols in Spanish football.
The club’s leadership has stressed the need for fair and transparent officiating moving forward, while also preparing for the second leg of the semi-final, where they will aim to overturn the deficit despite lingering frustrations over refereeing.
Tags: Atletico De Madrid Copa Del Ray Copa Del Rey Barcelona Barcelona Fc La Liga Article Sports Journalism
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