Raphinha says Barcelona were robbed after Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Raphinha criticised the refereeing after Barcelona’s Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid. The former Leeds United winger missed Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg with a hamstring injury.

Barcelona won 2-1 on the night but lost 3-2 on aggregate, their late push checked when Eric Garcia was sent off with 11 minutes left after a VAR review. "The game was completely robbed," Raphinha said, via ESPN.

Garcia committed the foul and, though Joules Kounde looked in position to cover, the officials ruled it a clear goalscoring opportunity. It was the second dismissal of the tie after Pau Cubarsi in the first leg. Barcelona had already filed a complaint to UEFA over a non-penalty and the failure to dismiss Marc Pubil, which was ruled inadmissible.

"We played really well, but this tie was robbed from us. I really want to understand why [the referee] is so scared of Barca getting through the tie."

Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso rejected the suggestion of a robbery, calling it madness and insisting his team earned their semi-final place on the pitch, adding that a last-man foul brings a red card.

Raphinha joined Barcelona in 2022 for £55million and is now in his fourth season. He posted 17 goals and 12 assists in 65 Premier League games for Leeds.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk