The Italian media evoke an “invisible hand” behind the scenes – the financial police come into play!
The explosive match between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, which ended with a 3-4 defeat of the Catalans, continues to shake European football. But it is not only the seven goals that ignite the debates: the arbitral decisions of Szymon Marciniak, now at the heart of a media and judicial hurricane, caused an unprecedented scandal. Indeed, the Polish referee has just been suspended indefinitely by FIFA, following a mysterious failure of the Var system during the match.
A var “breakdown” that changes everything
In the 75th minute of the match, a controversial action between Mkhitaryan and the young Lamine Yamal was briefly verified … before the video assistance suddenly declared “out of service”. According to the sources of the Italian newspaperLa Gazzetta dello Sport, UEFA technicians would have detected “unidentified” external interference on the Var signal – a first in the history of the Champions League.
The result? No red card for Mkhitaryan, no penalty for Barça, and a few minutes later, the decisive goal of Francesco Acerbi, tainted with a possible fault on Gerard Martin, is validated. The Var was “silent”, the furious Catalans.
The shadow of a plot?
The accusations are on all sides. The Catalan media cry out for “institutional connivance”, some going so far as to suspect Marciniak of affinities with Real Madrid. An old rumor that the Polish referee was invited to a private dinner organized by a Madrid sponsor in 2022 resurfaces. Italian financial police have even opened an investigation into possible suspicious financial flows around the game.
“This is not the first time that this referee has penalized us in a decisive match,” said Pedri, dumbfounded. “If UEFA does not react, then this is just a well orchestrated theater.”
Marciniak answers … and defends himself
Asked after the match, Szymon Marciniak had a scathing reaction:
“I will not answer such ridiculous accusations. I have nothing to blame myself for. If they want to complain, let them do it. I am ready.”
But FIFA, pressed by public opinion and several federations, has decided to act. A laconic press release announces that Marciniak is “provisionally excluded from any designation until further notice”, while the investigation into VAR interference is completed.
A thunderbolt … and lasting consequences
The controversy swells: Arsène Wenger, consultant for BeIN Sports, said he was “shocked” by the course of the end of the match. “How can a tool as crucial as the Var broke down at the decisive moment? It is disturbing.”
Meanwhile, social networks explode. The hashtag #Vargate leads to European trends. Theories circulate on voluntary hacking, even on the involvement of a clandestine Paris cartel operating from Asia.
The rest?
FC Barcelona officially seized the UEFA with an 84 -page file including video sequences, technical analyzes and testimonies. President Joan Laporta claims a “complete revision” of UEFA VAR systems and a final ban by Marciniak in all European competitions.
A match, a breakdown, and the whole of Europe wonders: is the largest competition of clubs still credible? Answer maybe … to the next twist 💥
