Raphinha criticizes referees after Barcelona's Champions League elimination, says club was 'robbed'

Barcelona forward Raphinha has launched a scathing critique of the match officials after the Catalan side were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Atlético Madrid. Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the tie, the Brazilian winger did not hide his frustration, claiming that the Blaugrana had been “robbed” by refereeing decisions that he believes tilted the contest decisively in the Spaniards’ favor.

Although the source text provided no specifics about individual calls, Raphinha’s post-match remarks made clear his conviction that the standard of officiating fell well below the level expected in Europe’s premier club competition. The 27-year-old’s outburst underscores the raw disappointment inside the Barça camp after a campaign that had promised much but ended in premature elimination.

With the club now forced to turn its attention to domestic matters, Raphinha’s comments are likely to prompt scrutiny from UEFA, whose disciplinary body has previously sanctioned players for public criticism of referees. For the moment, though, the winger’s words stand as a stark reminder of the fine—and sometimes controversial—margins that decide Champions League ties.