Barcelona’s acting president, Rafael Yuste, confirmed that the club’s legal department is analyzing UEFA’s decision to dismiss their complaint concerning a controversial non-penalty call during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid. The Catalan club had lodged a formal complaint after Marc Pubill was not penalized for a perceived handball in the second half of their 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou.
UEFA declared the complaint “inadmissible” on Tuesday. Yuste stated, “The legal department is assessing the grounds on which UEFA has not accepted our claim, and when they inform us, we will proceed accordingly.”
Pitch Condition Assurances
Despite manager Hansi Flick’s visible concerns about the state of the Metropolitano pitch during Tuesday’s training session, Barcelona has received assurances from UEFA that it will be in optimal playing condition for the upcoming match. The pitch was reportedly mowed later that evening. Yuste expressed confidence, stating, “I am not worried because I know that both sides of UEFA have been with the teams, and I believe the pitch will be in perfect playing condition.”
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, who attended a pre-match directors’ lunch with Yuste, downplayed Barcelona’s grievances regarding both the pitch and the refereeing decisions. He remarked, “These are things they have complained about, UEFA has told them it’s fine (the pitch), and I cannot tell you more than that. I think some people like long hair, and some people like short hair. I saw it clearly, and as long as UEFA says so, that is it. You all talk about so many things during the day – the pitch, Pubill’s play… Come on, something new. For me, this (the complaints) is utter nonsense.”
Julian Alvarez’s Future
When questioned about Julian Alvarez’s future and Barcelona’s reported interest, Cerezo reiterated his consistent stance, telling Sport, “I think he is going to stay with us for a long time.”
