Raphinha missed the encounter through injury but travelled to the Metropolitano in Madrid to watch Barça exit the European competition.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Barcelona forward Raphinha has hit out at his team’s exit from the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals following their elimination by Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night, calling it a “total robbery”.
The Brazilian winger made his feelings known while speaking with journalists after his team’s narrow win over Diego Simeone’s side.
Raphinha missed the crucial encounter through injury but travelled to the Cívitas Metropolitano in Madrid to see Barça exit the competition at the last eight stage, losing 3-2 on aggregate despite winning 2-1 on the night.
Early goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres had drawn Barça level in the tie, but Ademola Lookman’s strike ensured Atlético set up a semi-final meeting with either Arsenal or Sporting CP.
The Blaugrana’s hopes of forcing extra time disappeared late on when Eric García was sent off for a last-man challenge on Alexander Sørloth, leaving Raphinha fuming with the referee.
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Despite not participating in the match, Raphinha condemned the officiating and questioned the outcome.
“The game was a complete robbery,” he told reporters. “The referee had a lot of problems. Some of the decisions he took were incredible. I don’t know how many fouls Atlético made without being booked.”
Barcelona also appealed for a penalty for Dani Olmo in the first half—another incident that intensified the controversy—although the Brazilian refrained from focusing on any single event.
This latest incident marks the second consecutive match in which the club has raised concerns about Champions League officiating, following UEFA’s recent dismissal of a formal complaint regarding decisions in the previous leg.
Emphasising this, Raphinha added: “It is human to err, but for it to occur again… we played exceptionally well, yet they deprived us of the tie. It appears we must exert three times the effort just to secure a victory.”
