FIFA Dismisses Referees After Controversial Inter vs. Barcelona Clash
In a significant and rare move, FIFA has dismissed the entire officiating team from the recent Champions League semifinal between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona. The decision follows an intense backlash over a controversial non-penalty call involving a dangerous challenge on Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
The match, held at San Siro Stadium, featured several questionable refereeing decisions, but the most controversial moment came when Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter tackled Yamal inside the penalty area. Despite the severity of the incident, referee Szymon Marciniak and the VAR crew ruled the foul occurred just outside the box, awarding a free-kick rather than a penalty.
This decision infuriated Barcelona’s players and coaching staff. Head coach Hansi Flick strongly criticized the officials, stating the tackle clearly happened inside the area and was too serious to be overlooked. Midfielder Pedri added that many key decisions went against them, calling the situation unjust.
Following a review of the match, FIFA’s Referees Committee removed the officiating crew from the rest of the tournament. FIFA stressed its commitment to fairness and player safety, asserting that the referees failed to meet those standards.
The decision has been welcomed by much of the football community but has also reignited concerns over the consistency of VAR, especially in critical matches. Barcelona’s exit from the tournament amid such controversy has prompted renewed calls for referees to be more transparent, including holding post-match press conferences to explain decisions.
As discussions continue, many hope this incident will lead to lasting reforms in football officiating.
