Raphinha could be punished by UEFA after explosive referee comments
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The Brazilian forward strongly criticized Clément Turpin’s officiating after the Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid
The player called it a “robbery,” and there is clear recent precedent: Neymar was initially given a three match suspension in 2019 for attacking the referee following Paris Saint-Germain’s elimination, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the ban to two games
- Ramón Fuentes
Journalist
Raphinha delivered a furious response Tuesday night after Barcelona’s match against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. The Brazilian winger, who was unable to play because of injury, still spoke to a Brazilian outlet after the final whistle and openly described the result as a “robbery.”
The Barcelona player said: “It was a stolen match, the refereeing had many problems. The decisions they made were unbelievable. Atlético Madrid committed I don’t know how many fouls and they were not shown a single yellow card. I want to understand the fear of letting Barcelona go through.”
His comments could now lead to disciplinary action from UEFA. Article 11 of the organization’s Disciplinary Regulations, under the section covering “General principles of conduct,” states that sanctions may be imposed for any “insulting conduct or any other violation of the basic rules of decent behavior,” as well as conduct that “brings the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”
The punishment could be as severe as a three match suspension, which would be served starting next season in the Champions League. That possibility is strengthened by an existing precedent in a similar case.
Former Barcelona star Neymar was previously handed a three match ban after posting an Instagram message criticizing the referee following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2019 match against Manchester United. He wrote: “It’s a disgrace. They put four guys there who do not understand football to analyze a play… How can it be handball when his back is turned? The penalty does not exist.”
UEFA initially imposed a three match suspension, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced it to two matches in September of that same year.