Ex FIFA World Cup Final Referee Rubbishes Barcelona Complaints About Champions League Clash Vs Inter Milan: ‘Marciniak & VAR Were Perfect’ | OneFootball

Former FIFA World Cup final referee Urs Meier feels that Szymon Marciniak was “perfect” in the Champions League clash semifinal second leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona.

The former referee gave his analysis of several key decisions in that match on German broadcaster RAN, via FCInterNews.

The refereeing has been at the centre of controversy after Inter Milan’s Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Blaugranas have not hid their fury with Szymon Marciniak’s decisions.

From coach Hansi Flick, to midfielder Pedri, who insisted that “UEFA must investigate” the Polish referee, Barcelona have complained relentlessly of having been hard done by.

Meanwhile, Spanish media has further inflamed this sense of injustice.

However, former referee Urs Meier does not see any reason for these protests. The Swiss, who took charge of the 2002 World Cup final, feels that Marciniak largely got it right on Tuesday.

Meier: “Marciniak Was Perfect” In Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona Champions League Win

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Referee Szymon Marciniak reacts during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Firstly, former referee Meier analyzed Inter’s first half penalty. Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot after advice from VAR to look at a challenge by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez on his monitor.

“From the first camera angle, and also from the referee’s perspective, it looked like the ball was played legally,” said Meier.

“Based on the way the ball moved after the foul, you would think it was essentially a legal challenge.”

“But the camera behind the goal provided more detail,” Meier went on.

“You can see that Martinez put his leg in the right position. And then that Cubarsi made contact with the leg first, and then somewhat with the ball.”

“So it’s a penalty,” assured Meier.

Mkhitaryan On Yamal: “No Penalty, Outside The Area”

The Swiss former referee also gave his view on the free kick that Barcelona received just on the edge of the area for a foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan on Lamine Yamal.

Yamal felt that the foul had continued into the penalty area. And Marciniak did initially point to the spot.

However, VAR viewed the foul as being outside the area.

“Based on the images I had, I would say the foul occurred just outside the area,” said Meier.

“The foul occurs where the first contact occurs. And Marciniak did well to make clear that it was actually just outside the area.”

“From the defender’s gesture you could see that he already knew exactly when to make the challenge,” said Meier.

“And that was outside the area.”

“I  ccept the decision,” Meier went on. “With the images we had, especially in the first situation with the penalty, the VAR was perfect.”

“I would have probably made the same decision as Marciniak,” he added. “No penalty at first.”

Meier insisted that “the entire process was perfect.”

“I even praised Meier on Swiss television. This is why VAR makes sense.”

“I always say that if it helps football, and if it helps justice, then it’s a positive thing. And this was definitely one of those cases.”

Whistling Early With Barella Through On Goal “Unfortunate”

There was also one moment where Inter were very frustrated with Marciniak.

This came right at the end of the first period of extra time. Nicolo Barella found himself running through on Barcelona’s goal, one-on-one with Wojcjech Szczesny – but Marciniak blew his whistle to end the period.

“I think he’d let the match go on too long in extra time,” said former referee Meier.

“And then he wasn’t as focused with his final whistle.”

“But it was good that in the end it was an attack by Inter, and didn’t have an effect on the final result in the end.”

“Then, and Inter player embraced the referee and said in a friendly gesture: ‘Yes, this can happen to you as well.'”

Meier said that “I thought it was a good little gesture.”

“But obviously, it was an unfortunate time for the whistle from Marciniak.”

“That was probably the worst moment from him,” said Meier. “He needs to work on that, it wasn’t good.”