Laporta explodes: Referees robbed Barcelona of epic comeback against Atletico

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

FC Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta has rallied the club’s supporters behind manager Hansi Flick and the team following a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, insisting a “historic” comeback remains possible at the Spotify Camp Nou on March 3.

In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Laporta expressed unwavering support for the squad while voicing frustration over several factors he believes hampered Barcelona’s performance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

“All my support to Hansi Flick, to the players, to Deco and his team. With the strength of all the culers, I am convinced that we have a historic opportunity to pull off a great comeback at the Spotify Camp Nou on March 3rd next,” Laporta wrote in Catalan, with the English translation widely shared.

He highlighted a series of “setbacks” from the February 12 match, including the poor condition of the pitch, which some fans and observers claimed led to uneven bounces and disrupted Barcelona’s possession-based style.

“Unfortunately, yesterday we suffered a whole string of setbacks, from a pitch in poor condition to a wrongly disallowed goal that didn’t allow us to kick off a comeback that is possible in the return leg if we all together rally behind and cheer on the team like in the great epic nights we’ve lived at the stadium,” he continued.

Laporta reserved particular criticism for refereeing decisions, pointing to a goal by young defender Pau Cubarsí that was ruled out after a prolonged VAR review, lasting several minutes, deeming it offside.

He linked it to prior grievances, including a disallowed goal for Lamine Yamal in a recent La Liga match at Anoeta against Real Sociedad.

“From the wrongly disallowed goal to Pau Cubarsí, it’s raining on wet because it reminds us of what they disallowed to Lamine Yamal, also incorrectly at Anoeta. Nothing is innocent. That’s why we have to fight against everything and everyone,” Laporta declared, implying perceived bias against the club.

hE urged fans, members, and the entire Barça community to unite in support: “Now more than ever, we need to stand by our footballers. I ask the members and supporters and the entire fanbase to make them feel the affection we have for them and how proud they make us feel for how they defend our colors.”

The emphatic defeat leaves Barcelona facing a monumental challenge to overturn the deficit in the second leg.

Atlético Madrid capitalized ruthlessly in the first half with four goals, exposing defensive vulnerabilities under Flick’s high-pressing system.