Raphinha’s reaction after the elimination at the Metropolitano: accuses the referee of robbery, sends a message to the fans, and apologizes

Frustration and anger swept through FC Barcelona after being eliminated from the Champions League at the Metropolitano. Some, like Lamine Yamal, sent a message of resilience and promise to the fans. Others accepted the outcome of the tie but also pointed to the refereeing.

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Raphinha, injured with Brazil, went onto the pitch to console his teammates at the end of the quarter-final second leg against Atlético de Madrid. While the Blaugrana team thanked their fans for their support at the Metropolitano, the forward addressed the Atlético stands with several gestures implying that Atlético would be eliminated in the next European round. This Wednesday, through an Instagram comment on Dazn’s account, he gave explanations and apologized: “I apologize for my gesture, which does not correspond with my values or my character. It was an act committed in a moment of tension, in response to a fan who was disrespecting me.”

It was not the only moment when the Brazilian showed his anger. After the match, he did so regarding the refereeing in front of the microphones. “For me, it was a stolen match. I think the refereeing had many problems. The decisions they make are incredible. I don’t know how many fouls Atlético de Madrid committed and the referee didn’t show any yellow cards. I really want to understand their fear that Barcelona might win,” Raphinha lashed out.

He was not the only one to criticize the referees; Joan Laporta also got fired up. “First of all, I want to congratulate Atlético for advancing to the semifinals,” the elected Barça president began at the Conde Godó Tournament facilities before the media. “But that doesn’t take away from the fact that yesterday’s refereeing, both on the field and the VAR, was a disgrace. What they have done to us is intolerable,” Laporta denounced, emphasizing that Barça was “harmed” both in the first and second legs of the tie — in which the Blaugranas were reduced to 10 players twice — by the refereeing decisions.

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“They sent off a player when Koundé could perfectly reach the ball and, therefore, Eric [García] was not the last man. The referee gave the yellow card, and the VAR made him reverse it. Another wrong decision. Ferran’s goal was a goal, the penalty on Olmo was a penalty. The aggression on Fermín, judge it as you wish, but it was intolerable because they opened the entire upper part of his lip. And no card. This is unacceptable,” stressed the elected president listing the controversial plays from Tuesday at the Metropolitano.

He also took the opportunity to recall the first leg of the tie at Camp Nou. “Already in the first leg, they didn’t call a clear penalty on us, and they also sent off a player when it was a yellow card: Giuliano didn’t have control of the ball. The referee called it correctly, but the VAR made him reverse it, and it harmed us a lot,” the elected president recalled.

After that match, Barça filed a formal complaint with UEFA for a penalty not awarded after Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand inside the area during a goal kick. The highest European football institution, for its part, rejected the complaint and declared the claim “inadmissible.” “Now Barça is asking for explanations about it,” Laporta responded, also confirming that the Blaugrana entity will file another complaint regarding the refereeing decisions from this Tuesday.

Between the complaint and the anger, emerges Lamine’s promise, established as a leader. “We gave everything, but it wasn’t enough. This is only part of the journey: to reach the top you have to climb, and we know it won’t be easy nor will they make it easy for us. But giving up is not an option,” the young number 10 Blaugrana posted on his social media. “My parents taught me that a man’s word is always kept… and we will bring it to Barcelona,” Lamine concluded. A promise that recalls last year’s, when Barça fell to Inter and missed out on playing their first Champions final in 2015. This time, they were left on the shore again.

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