FC Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League against Inter Milan left the blaugrana locker room with a bitter feeling. However, what caught the most attention were Pedri González's harsh words after the match. The usually calm Pedri surprised by criticizing Marciniak and questioning UEFA's management.
Pedri's Reaction
What seemed like a typical post-match press conference, filled with sadness over the elimination, quickly turned into an outpouring of indignation.
"It's not the first time this has happened to us with this referee, UEFA should look into it", Pedri expressed in a serious and direct tone, making his discomfort clear. The criticism not only touched on that night's refereeing but also referred to previous decisions that, according to Pedri, follow the same pattern.
Controversial Plays That Marked the Match
The midfielder quickly specified some of the plays that, in his opinion, influenced the course of the match. One of the most notable was the penalty on Lamine Yamal, annulled due to an alleged prior foul, which enraged Barça players.
Additionally, the non-expulsion of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, after an action that many saw as dangerous, caused even more controversy. Pedri insisted that "all the 50-50s go their way", pointing out the feeling that the refereeing decisions did not favor Barcelona.
Marciniak's Pattern
Pedri's criticisms were not just an isolated reaction to a match in which Barça was knocked out of the Champions League. For him, Marciniak's refereeing follows a worrying pattern that directly affects the team.
This is not the first controversial episode with the Polish referee, which gives more weight to the words of the blaugrana footballer.
"It's not the first time", Pedri insisted, suggesting that UEFA should more closely review Marciniak's performances.
UEFA Under Scrutiny
Pedri's message goes beyond a simple complaint about refereeing. By mentioning UEFA, the Canary Islander calls on the institution to take action. It's not just a criticism of a referee but an invitation for UEFA to investigate the performance of its officials in similar situations.
In this sense, Pedri becomes a spokesperson for a sentiment shared by many within the Barça locker room: the feeling that they are not always treated fairly.
Marciniak and Previous Controversies
Szymon Marciniak had already been the subject of criticism in the past, but the forcefulness of Pedri's words marks a turning point. The Polish referee is no stranger to controversy, having been questioned in other matches, but never before so directly by a key player.
This episode could open the door to greater pressure on UEFA to more carefully evaluate referees in high-level competitions.