FIFA Acknowledges Major Refereeing Error in Barcelona vs. Inter Milan Clash
In a thrilling Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona, which ended 4-3, several contentious moments stirred debate — especially a penalty decision involving Pau Cubarsí and Lautaro Martínez.
The penalty, awarded just before halftime and converted by Hakan Çalhanoglu to give Inter a 2-0 lead, drew sharp criticism from Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Director of Global Football Development.
“I strongly disagree with that kind of penalty decision,” Wenger said. “Using slow-motion replays with VAR distorts the play. At full speed, it’s a strong challenge.”
Wenger argued that Lautaro Martínez initiated the contact, saying, “He knew he couldn’t score, so he leaned into Cubarsí to draw the foul. The referee made the wrong call.”
“He didn’t look at who touched the ball first. Cubarsí got there ahead of Martínez — that’s what matters,” Wenger emphasized.
