Barcelona, May 10, 2025 – In an unexpected twist that has shocked the world of football, FIFA has announced the official dismissal of referee Szymon Marciniak, who was in charge of officiating the controversial Champions League semi-final second leg between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. The decision, taken after an emergency meeting, comes in response to strong criticism and accusations of bias in the match that ended with Barcelona’s narrow 4-3 elimination (7-6 aggregate) at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.
The match, hailed as one of the most exciting of the season, was marked by controversial refereeing decisions that sparked the fury of the players, coaching staff, and Barça fans. Among the most questioned decisions were a potential penalty not awarded for a handball by Francesco Acerbi, a foul prior to Acerbi’s goal that tied the game in stoppage time, and the awarding of a penalty to Inter for a foul by Pau Cubarsí on Lautaro Martínez. These decisions, according to Blaugrana insiders, tipped the scales in Inter’s favor and prevented Barcelona from reaching the final.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta didn’t hide his frustration: “We fought to be in the final in Munich, but it couldn’t be, basically because of refereeing decisions that went against us.” Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also expressed his displeasure in a subtle but forceful way: “Every 50-50 decision was theirs. I told the referee what I think, but I won’t repeat it here.” Public complaints from players like Pedri and Ronald Araujo, who called on UEFA to investigate Marciniak, added to the pressure.
In an official statement, FIFA confirmed that Marciniak has been suspended indefinitely and will face a thorough investigation into his performance in the match. Although the exact reasons were not specified, sources close to the organization suggest that Barcelona’s multiple formal complaints and the analysis of the controversial plays were decisive. This measure, unprecedented in such a recent context, seeks to send a clear message about transparency in refereeing.
However, the decision does nothing to quell the discontent in Barcelona. “No one is giving us back what they stole from us,” lamented one fan on social media, reflecting the general sentiment among the Catalans. Inter, for its part, celebrated its passage to the final, where it awaits the winner of the duel between PSG and Arsenal, but the focus remains on the refereeing controversy.
This dismissal marks another chapter in the history of tensions between Barcelona and referees in European competitions. As Flick’s team prepares for El Clásico against Real Madrid in LaLiga, the question remains: will this sanction serve to ensure greater fairness in football? The debate is more alive than ever.
