Laporta Blames Referee for Barcelona's Champions League Exit

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has strongly criticized referee Szymon Marciniak for decisions he claims directly contributed to Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League after a dramatic 4-3 loss to Inter Milan. Laporta and other club figures argue that several key refereeing calls, including penalty decisions, unfairly favored Inter and undermined Barcelona's efforts to reach the final. Despite the disappointment, Laporta praised his team's performance and expressed pride in the players and supporters, urging unity and resilience. He emphasized that the controversial officiating should motivate the team to focus on winning La Liga, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid. Laporta called on fans to fill the stadium and support the team as they aim to recover their mentality and pursue domestic success. The refereeing controversy has drawn criticism from across the football community, further fueling debate over the match's outcome.