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Barcelona Escalates Officiating Dispute After Controversial 2-1 Defeat at Girona

The club has formalized grievances to Spain’s refereeing bodies after consecutive matches defined by disputed decisions.

Overview

  • Girona’s 86th-minute winner stood despite Barcelona protests that Claudio Echeverri fouled Jules Koundé in the buildup, with no on-field review by VAR.
  • Raphinha posted that the “rules are different” for Barcelona and vowed the team would “play against everyone” to keep competing.
  • Barcelona has sent a five-point complaint to the RFEF and CTA alleging inconsistent discipline, contradictory handball rulings, VAR opacity, and irregular use of on-field monitor reviews.
  • Club leadership has reportedly contacted federation officials to press their case, while Hansi Flick called the contact on Koundé a “clear” foul and gave players two days off before facing Levante.
  • The Girona loss follows a 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atlético Madrid in which a Pau Cubarsí goal was disallowed after a prolonged offside check, leaving Barcelona two points behind Real Madrid in LaLiga.