UEFA drops referee after controversial decision in Barcelona Champions League loss to Atletico

UEFA has reportedly removed Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs from officiating any further matches in the 2025-26 Champions League season following controversial decisions during Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Barcelona.

The heated quarter-final first leg at the Camp Nou was marred by disputes over a red card and a shout for a handball penalty, which left Barcelona coach Hansi Flick furious.

According to Spanish radio station Cope’s programme El Partidazo, UEFA’s decision was primarily due to Kovacs’ initial failure to send off Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi for a foul on Giuliano Simeone. The referee first issued only a yellow card before VAR intervened to upgrade it to a straight red.

Spanish journalist Isaac Fouto confirmed on the programme: “Yesterday’s referee will not officiate again, but for the error of not sending off Cubarsí live.”

According to Goal, while UEFA focused on the Cubarsi incident, Hansi Flick was particularly upset about another moment when Atletico’s Marc Pubill appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area after a short goal kick.

“I don’t know why VAR didn’t intervene,” Flick told Movistar. “We all make mistakes, but what’s the point of VAR? I can’t understand it. It should be a penalty, a second yellow card, and a red. This is what can’t happen.”

Despite being sidelined for the remainder of the current Champions League campaign, Kovacs is not facing a long-term ban. According to reports, he remains on the preliminary list of referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.