FC Barcelona Complains About Unfair Referee Calls

FC Barcelona has sent a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation. The club says referee decisions have been unfair this season. They feel this makes the games not equal for everyone.
By Newsroom | Football, Spain |

FC Barcelona has formally submitted a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation, citing a pattern of inconsistent refereeing decisions throughout the season. The club contends that these discrepancies, particularly concerning disciplinary actions and on-field review criteria, create a perception of unfairness and undermine the integrity of the competition. The formal protest follows several matches where Barcelona has expressed dissatisfaction with officiating, leading to a formal articulation of their concerns.

Background of the Complaint

The complaint, filed on February 14, 2026, specifically addresses incidents from the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Atlético de Madrid. However, the club's grievances extend beyond this single match, referencing a recurring pattern observed throughout the current season.

  • Formal Filing: FC Barcelona submitted its complaint to the Spanish Football Federation on February 14, 2026.

  • Catalyst Match: The complaint was prompted by refereeing decisions during the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético de Madrid.

  • Broader Concerns: The club states that this action is a response to an accumulation of perceived significant errors throughout the season.

Core Grievances Articulated by FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona's official statement and subsequent reports detail several key points of contention regarding the refereeing standards.

Inconsistent Disciplinary Criteria

A central theme of Barcelona's complaint is the perceived lack of uniformity in how referees apply disciplinary rules.

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  • Differing Decisions: The club alleges that actions of an identical nature have resulted in different decisions, particularly regarding yellow and red cards, and penalties.

  • Impact: This inconsistency, according to Barcelona, creates a sense of inequality and insecurity for participating teams.

Questionable On-Field Reviews

Barcelona has also raised concerns about the process and criteria used when referees consult pitch-side monitors for incident reviews.

  • Lack of Clear Standards: The club questions the absence of clear and consistent criteria guiding referees' decisions after reviewing video replays.

  • Perception of Inequality: This ambiguity, Barcelona suggests, contributes to a perception that decisions are not being made with uniform standards.

Accumulation of Detrimental Errors

Beyond specific instances, Barcelona points to a trend of what they deem to be significant refereeing errors that have negatively impacted the club.

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  • Recurrence: The club states that these are not isolated incidents but a pattern of "blatant refereeing errors."

  • Decisive Impact: Many of these perceived errors, Barcelona claims, have been decisive in the outcome of matches and detrimental to their interests.

Perceived Double Standards and Competition Integrity

The core of Barcelona's assertion is that these inconsistencies amount to "double standards," which they believe are incompatible with the fundamental principles of fairness and equality in sports.

  • Unfair Advantage: Reports suggest Barcelona feels these standards may unfairly favor rivals, particularly Real Madrid, in key matches like the league title race.

  • Erosion of Trust: The club's position implies that this situation is eroding trust in the officiating and, by extension, the integrity of the competition itself.

"This disparity creates a sense of double standards, incompatible with the principles of fairness, equality, and legal certainty that should govern the competition." - FC Barcelona Official Statement

Examples and Specific Incidents

While the formal complaint focuses on recent events, reports highlight past instances that fuel Barcelona's concerns.

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  • Getafe vs. Barcelona (January 20, 2025): Barcelona President Joan Laporta cited a controversial non-penalty call for a foul on Jules Koundé, contrasting it with a penalty awarded to Real Madrid in a similar situation against Getafe.

  • Osasuna vs. Barcelona (September 29, 2024): The club reportedly felt a disallowed goal against them was based on a less severe infringement than one that led to a goal for Osasuna.

  • Girona vs. Barcelona (October 20, 2025): Controversial calls by referee Gil Manzano during a narrow win against Girona were also mentioned as a flashpoint.

  • Real Madrid vs. Getafe: Barcelona reportedly believed that the expulsion of two Getafe players in a match against Real Madrid favored the latter.

  • Basketball Playoff Series (June 1, 2024): In a basketball context, Barcelona coach Roger Grimau and players reportedly accused officials of double standards after a playoff loss to Real Madrid.

Club Leadership Statements and Context

Statements from club officials and reports indicate a deep-seated concern within Barcelona regarding the officiating.

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  • Joan Laporta: The Barcelona president has been vocal, labeling certain refereeing decisions as a "disgrace" and a "scandal." He has directly compared officiating in Barcelona's matches with those of Real Madrid.

  • Roger Grimau: The basketball coach also expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating criteria following a playoff game against Real Madrid.

  • Club's Belief: There is a reported belief within Barcelona that these perceived double standards could significantly impact their ability to win the La Liga title.

Federation Actions and Club Confidence

Recent changes within the Spanish refereeing committee have also been noted, with Barcelona's president expressing a measured response.

  • Federation Overhaul: The Spanish Football Federation recently removed the entire leadership of its refereeing committee.

  • Laporta's Stance: President Joan Laporta stated his confidence in the federation's current leadership to manage these changes effectively, indicating that restructuring had been discussed previously.

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"I’m not worried; I have full confidence in President Louzán to handle things properly." - Joan Laporta

Expert and External Commentary

While direct expert analysis on the specific complaint is limited in the provided data, the situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of refereeing standards and their potential influence on competition outcomes. Reports consistently highlight Barcelona's fear that these officiating trends could decide crucial competitions like La Liga.

Conclusion and Implications

FC Barcelona's formal complaint signifies a serious escalation in their long-standing concerns about refereeing consistency. The club's articulation of "double standards," coupled with specific examples and appeals to fairness and integrity, suggests a belief that officiating is not only flawed but potentially biased.

  • Formal Recourse: The complaint to the Federation represents the club seeking official intervention and review of officiating practices.

  • Impact on Competition: Barcelona's statements imply a fear that the perceived lack of fair and consistent officiating could significantly impact the outcome of major competitions, including the La Liga title race.

  • Future Scrutiny: The club's action is likely to bring increased scrutiny on refereeing decisions in future matches involving FC Barcelona and potentially other clubs.

  • Federation's Role: The Spanish Football Federation now faces the challenge of addressing these allegations and ensuring consistent application of rules to maintain the perceived integrity of the sport.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did FC Barcelona complain?
FC Barcelona complained because they think referees have made unfair calls many times this season. They feel the rules are not used the same way for all teams.
Q: What kind of calls are they unhappy with?
They are unhappy with calls about yellow and red cards, penalties, and how referees review plays on the field. They say similar actions get different results.
Q: Does this complaint only involve one game?
No, the complaint is about many games this season. A recent game against Atlético de Madrid was a main reason, but they see a pattern over time.
Q: What does FC Barcelona hope will happen?
They hope the Spanish Football Federation will look into the refereeing and make sure games are fair and equal for all teams.