UEFA Back Referee Marciniak Despite Barcelona Fury Following Champions League Semifinal Vs Inter Milan | OneFootball

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.

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

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Referee Szymon Marciniak reacts during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

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.