UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, ruled that Barcelona’s complaint regarding the controversial refereeing in their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, is “inadmissible”.

The Catalans had filed a formal notice last week, alleging that the performance of referee Istvan Kovacs in the first leg of the quarter-final tie at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The incident involved Atletico’s Marc Pubill, who handled the ball inside the box following a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Barça argued it should have been a penalty and a second yellow for Pubill, while both the referee and Atletico Madrid maintained that the ball was not yet in play.

As such, Barcelona proceeded to lodge an official complaint, seeking an explanation for the decisions as well as access to the recordings of the conversations between the referee and the VAR.

However, a UEFA statement, read: “Following the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, played on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona lodged a protest concerning a refereeing decision.

“On April 13, 2026, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest inadmissible.”

UCL: UEFA rules on Barcelona’s complaint over referee in Atletico Madrid defeat