Barcelona’s controversial Champions League exit has dominated football discourse this week, with tempers still flaring after Tuesday night’s thriller in Milan.
The Blaugrana’s 4-3 defeat against Inter Milan saw their treble hopes crushed in dramatic fashion at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Following the match, heated debate erupted across European media, with most of the criticism aimed at referee Szymon Marciniak.
The decisions that defined the semi-final—particularly Lautaro Martinez’s awarded penalty and the ignored foul on Lamine Yamal—continue to spark anger in the Catalan camp.
Attention has now turned to Barcelona’s next challenge: a season-defining El Clasico clash with Real Madrid this Sunday, where the La Liga title race could tilt decisively.
Amid the growing tension, Enric Masip, a senior advisor to club president Joan Laporta and a key figure within the Barcelona sporting structure, has now joined the chorus of condemnation aimed at UEFA’s officiating team.
Enric Masip, speaking during the traditional Nacex Challenge event ahead of El Clasico, did not hold back in expressing his frustration.
“Already in the third minute, after a strong tackle on Lamine, the referee went to the bench in a very rough way,” he said.
“He told Flick to move aside and he started to threaten, I think it was Araujo.”
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His remarks suggest that Barcelona’s grievances extend beyond isolated incidents and into the referee’s entire demeanour.
Masip also questioned the integrity of the VAR setup on the night, implying that the system failed to act with consistency and fairness.
“Seeing what had happened with this referee in Milan, and who was in the VAR, sometimes coincidences don’t just happen,” he continued.
“It’s easy to take it out on the referees, but the same criteria should apply to everyone.”
With Laporta having already blamed officiating for Barcelona’s Champions League elimination, Masip’s comments represent a deepening of the club’s official stance.
Turning attention to Sunday’s showdown with Madrid, Masip emphasised its magnitude and pointed out the physical disadvantage Barcelona face after a midweek clash.
He said: “We have a very important game on Sunday.
“A huge part of La Liga is at stake. Madrid had a clear week, but we’ll play with the same mentality that’s helped us overcome other tough moments.”
All eyes now shift to El Clasico—where Barca will try to turn their frustration into fuel.
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