In a remarkable interview following their Champions League loss, Pedri attacks UEFA and demands an investigation into the Inter vs. Barcelona referee. After an amazing semi-final match, Inter Milan secured their spot in the final with an extra-time victory.
Refereeing in the Champions League has gained a lot of attention after Barcelona’s loss to Inter Milan in the semi-final.
Francesco Acerbi cancelled off Raphinha’s late goal in stoppage time to make it 3-3 on the evening and 6-6 overall, causing Barcelona to experience late heartbreak in their second leg in Italy.
A very obvious target infuriated Barcelona star Pedri, and Davide Frattesi scored the goal in extra time to end an incredible match.
The 22-year-old midfield player expressed his opinions regarding referee Szymon Marciniak in an interview with the media following the incredible match in Milan.
“This referee has been involved in similar incidents before, and I think UEFA ought to look into it,” Pedri, who lost in the semi-final.
“I believe there are things that are difficult for me to describe and that I don’t comprehend.
“In one instance involving Lamine [Yamal], I believe [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan had already received a yellow card. It was either a foul or a penalty. In any case, he should have been sent off because it’s a clear yellow card.
“Honestly, I don’t understand it.”
Although Barcelona was upset about several instances during the two-leg match against Inter, where they gave up a goal every 30 minutes, remarks like Pedri’s are incredibly ineffective in a time when referee scapegoating is commonplace.
Complaining about a judgement and making ambiguous but direct accusations regarding an official’s integrity are two very different but equally significant things.
It is cowardly to hint at prejudice without providing specific examples, and it feeds into the worst conspiratorial excesses of Football Twitter.
Pedri’s covert accusation ought to be the focus of any UEFA inquiry that is conducted, and Marciniak’s representatives might also be interested.
The Spain international started 13 of Barcelona’s 14 Champions League games this season and is an amazing football player with many skills.
Barcelona’s annoyance makes sense. They came within seconds of winning a slugfest match and making it back to the Champions League final for the first time since 2015.
However, rather than disparaging Marciniak’s reputation for the sake of convenience, the Catalan giants ought to take stock of a good season and an instant classic that they lost by a single goal in 13.
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