UEFA are fully backing referee Szymon Marciniak despite the criticisms from Barcelona regarding their Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
This according to Spanish newspaper Marca, via FCInterNews. They report that the governing body have made it known behind the scenes that they don’t consider there to be any problems with the Pole’s performance.
Referee Szymon Marciniak has received no shortage of criticism in Spanish media in the last couple days.
There have been numerous conspiracy theories that the Polish official favoured Inter.
Even Barcelona midfielder Pedri argued that “UEFA must investigate” Marciniak for his refereeing of the match. Among these have been the notion that Marciniak has a bias towards Real Madrid.
Particularly after the controversy surrounding the round of sixteen penalty shootout between Real and Atletico Madrid.
UEFA Fully Back Marciniak Despite Barcelona Criticisms Following Inter Milan Clash
There were a few decisions that many Barcelona fans – as well as media outlets in Spain – have argued went Inter’s way.
First of all, there was a handball by Francesco Acerbi inside the Inter area. Marciniak did not give a penalty, because he did not see the contact by the defender’s hand as intentional.
Then, there was the penalty that Marciniak awarded to Inter after advice from VAR.
Next, Barcelona fans raged at the penalty that the referee initially awarded to the Blaugranas for a foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan on Lamine Yamal.
Marciniak changed that to a free kick on the edge of the area. This was after VAR concluded that the foul did not continue into the penalty area.
Then, there is also the idea that Denzel Dumfries had fouled Gerard Martin in the buildup to Francesco Acerbi’s stoppage time equalizer.
All of these have led to plenty of fuming by Barcelona players and staff after Tuesday’s match.
However, according to Marca, this is all for nothing. UEFA have given their full backing to Marciniak for his job in Tuesday’s semifinal clash.
He is a man with integrity.
Under the circumstances, I think the ref had a pretty good game… his biggest error was blowing for half time in extra time, when Barella was clean through!!
The way Barca act whenever they lose a big game is pathetic! Great at playing football maybe, but no dignity or class whatsoever!!!
It is not an error, because the ref is not obligated to extend the extra time just because one of the teams has a good chance to score.
He is an honest man for sure. Maybe a few more yellow cards may have been give and maybe 2 red cards , one for ınter (second yellow) ,one for barcelona(spitting) . That is all. Than the game would be a real fight so he managed well.