Official Barça complaint about refereeing: Diego Simeone breaks his silence

Barça – Atlético refereeing: Simeone speaks out!

Europe 10 April 2026 at 09:00

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

Official Barça complaint about refereeing: Diego Simeone breaks his silence

08.04.26 FT Champions League

Barcelona

Atletico Madrid

After the heated controversy sparked by FC Barcelona over refereeing decisions, Diego Simeone has broken his silence with a measured but deeply meaningful response.

Tensions keep rising between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid following the refereeing controversy in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. While the Catalan club has officially contacted UEFA, Diego Simeone's reaction was highly anticipated.

True to his style, the Colchoneros' coach opted to cool things down, while slipping in a barely veiled message:

"Pressure from FC Barcelona on referees? I am very respectful."

He then added:

"We live in Madrid and we are very used to these situations. I am not complaining, I am just saying that we're used to it here in Madrid, where we live."

🚨🗣️ Diego Simeone: "Pressure from Barcelona on referees? I am very respectful."

"We live in Madrid and we are very used to these situations. I am not complaining, I am just saying that we're used to it here in Madrid, where we live." pic.twitter.com/UpxzWuzW9F
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) April 10, 2026