Champions League: Barcelona handball claim against Atletico Madrid rejected

UEFA has dismissed Barcelona’s official protest over a contentious handball incident in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Atlético Madrid, issuing the ruling only hours before the return leg kicks off.

European football’s governing body confirmed on Tuesday that the complaint, filed after the 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou last week, was “inadmissible” following a review by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

The flashpoint involved Atlético defender Marc Pubill, who handled the ball after it appeared a goal-kick had been rolled in his direction. Barcelona argued the offence merited a penalty, describing the on-field decision as a “major error” that shaped the outcome of the match. The club also expressed frustration that referee István Kovács was not invited to review the incident by the VAR team.

UEFA’s brief statement read: “On 13 April 2026, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest to be inadmissible.”

The ruling leaves Barcelona with no recourse ahead of the decisive second leg, intensifying pressure on the five-time champions as they attempt to overturn the two-goal deficit against Diego Simeone’s side.