Raphinha has expressed frustrations regarding the officiating in La Liga following Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Girona, marking their second consecutive loss under coach Hansi Flick. The setback at Montilivi came just days after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal, with both matches involving contentious refereeing decisions.
During the match against Atlético, a goal from Pau Cubarsí was disallowed after a lengthy seven-minute VAR check for offside, while Barcelona felt aggrieved with Girona’s winning goal, believing it stemmed from a foul during the buildup. Following the defeat, Raphinha took to social media to emphasize the need for improvement not only within his team but also in how refereeing decisions are handled in the league.
“It’s very complicated when the rules are different whether it’s for you or against you,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges of competing under such circumstances. Raphinha’s comments reflect ongoing concerns from Barcelona about perceived inconsistencies in officiating, prompting the club to file a formal complaint with the Spanish Football Federation and the Refereeing Committee. Their letter outlined issues such as a lack of consistency in disciplinary actions and concerns over VAR transparency.
Coach Hansi Flick has been reluctant to too openly criticize referees, knowing his team is struggling with form. Nonetheless, he pointed out a “clear” foul that preceded Girona’s winner, where Claudio Echeverri stepped on Jules Koundé’s foot before Fran Beltrán scored in the 86th minute, a situation that went unpenalized both on the field and via VAR review.
Barcelona’s recent defeat has now placed them two points behind rivals Real Madrid in La Liga. In response to the defeats, Flick has provided his players with a two-day break to regroup before they face Levante in their next league match. This time off may prove vital as Barcelona looks to get back on track and overcome their current challenges.