
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Raphinha expressed frustration after Barcelona's Champions League exit, claiming they were 'robbed' by poor refereeing in their 3-2 aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid. He watched the second leg from the stands, as he was sidelined due to injury.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 14: Raphinha Dias of FC Barcelona walks in the field following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Metropolitano on April 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Kazimierz Koper/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona star Raphinha claimed his team were ârobbedâ against Atletico after going out of the Champions League 3-2 on aggregate.
The Brazilian, who missed both games due to injury, was in Madrid to watch the second leg as Barcelona won 2-1 but couldnât quite overturn their 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Both legs saw plenty of controversial decisions, leaving Raphinha frustrated with the match officials.
âFor me, we were robbed,â he told TNT Sports Brasil.
âI donât want to talk about the refereeing, but we played extremely well, they committed I donât know how many fouls, and the referee didnât even pull out a single yellow card against them.
âThe refereeing was very bad in all the decisions he made. What I really want to understand is, by what criteria is Barca being refereed?â
âIâd really like to understand the secret behind this fear that haunts these people at the thought of Barca winning.
âYes, weâre all human and we can make a mistake in a match, thatâs something I can understand, but for it to happen in two consecutive matches? Thatâs not normal. I think the result of this double confrontation isnât fair.â
Raphinhaâs comments could now land him in hot water. According to Mundo Deportivo, he could be sanctioned by UEFA for criticising the referee, something that happened previously when Neymar blasted the match officials after PSGâs exit.
Raphinha claimed that Barcelona were 'robbed' due to very bad refereeing during their Champions League exit.
Barcelona lost to Atletico Madrid with an aggregate score of 3-2.
Raphinha missed both matches due to an injury.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
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