Marca Refereeing Expert: Marciniak’s Catastrophic Error Denied Barcelona a Place in the Final

Refereeing Controversy in the 43rd Minute: Marciniak Awards Controversial Penalty to Inter Against Barcelona

Last night’s clash between Inter Milan and Barcelona saw a major moment of controversy that raised many questions, after Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a penalty to the Italian side in the 43rd minute of the first half following a VAR review.

The Incident That Ignited the Match

Initially, the referee showed no intention of calling a foul on Barcelona’s young defender Pau Cubarsí after a challenge with Inter striker Lautaro Martínez inside the penalty area. However, after a VAR intervention, Marciniak went to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor and then returned to point to the spot — a decision that sparked significant protests from Barcelona players and staff.

Refereeing Analyst: “No Penalty Should Have Been Given”

The controversy extended beyond the pitch and into post-match analysis. Refereeing expert Pawel Fernandez, speaking on “Radio Marca,” commented:

“I watched the incident over 80 times and saw no clear contact between Cubarsí and Lautaro. The VAR intervention was unjustified, and the decision, in my view, was completely wrong. If the challenge was deemed a foul, Cubarsí should have at least received a yellow card — which he didn’t.”

Widespread Catalan Outrage

Marciniak’s decision triggered a wave of anger among Barcelona fans, who felt their team had been clearly wronged at a crucial point that could have changed the outcome of the match. Many called for a reassessment of how VAR is used, arguing that such decisions threaten the integrity of major competitions.

It’s worth noting that the match ended with Inter Milan advancing to the final after a 4–3 victory over Barcelona.