Barcelona star Raphinha facing three-match ban for offensive comments after Champions League exit | OneFootball

Barcelona forward Raphinha has landed himself in hot water following his comment after his side’s Champions League quarter-final exit against Atletico Madrid.

According to Spanish news outlet AS, the Brazilian winger is facing a potential three-match ban for his comments and gestures after the final whistle.

The 29-year-old is currently sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury that has ruled him out until the latter stages of the season.

He wasn’t part of the matchday squad but travelled to support his Barcelona teammates’ efforts as they looked to overturn a 2-0 first-leg defeat at Spotify Camp Nou.

After Barcelona’s 3-2 aggregate defeat, he appeared to gesture toward Atletico supporters, which didn’t go unnoticed by the officials.

Speaking after the game, Raphinha couldn’t hide his frustration, claiming that Barcelona had been “robbed” and criticised the referee’s decisions across both legs of the tie.

He later doubled down on his comments, implying that the referees were deliberately against the Catalan giants.

“The refereeing has been terrible,” Raphinha said. “It’s unbelievable the decisions he’s made.

“Atletico committed countless fouls, and the referee didn’t even show them a yellow card. I really want to understand his fear that Barca might get through to the next round.”

Raphinha’s comments have put him in a potentially difficult position with UEFA, which has a strict standard regarding respect for match officials both during and after games.

History shows that public criticism of referees can lead to disciplinary action.

Neymar received a three-match suspension for similar remarks when Paris Saint-Germain were eliminated from the Champions League by Manchester United in 2019.

Raphinha could also be sanctioned for his gestures towards the fans, although he has since issued a public apology for his behaviour.

“I apologise for my gesture, which does not reflect my values ​​or my character,” Raphinha said on social media. “It was an act committed in a moment of tension, in response to a fan who was disrespecting me.”