Referee from Inter 4-3 Barcelona denies making controversial post-match comments | OneFootball

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has firmly denied giving any interview following the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona.

Marciniak has been in the spotlight after the Blaugrana’s 4-3 defeat to the Italian giants at the Giuseppe Meazza, with some of his decisions creating a debate and sparking criticism from the Barça camp.

On Thursday, various reports circulated quotes allegedly made by Marciniak after the match, in which he had supposedly criticised Barcelona players for their reaction to his officiating. These quotes were attributed to the Egyptian media outlet Al-Qahera.

In those quotes, Marciniak allegedly labelled the comments made by Barcelona players and staff as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘stupid’ while justifying his decision to allow Inter Milan’s third goal to stand.

In the spotlight. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

However, in a private conversation with Polish sports daily and news portal Przegląd Sportowy Onet (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Marciniak categorically denied having spoken to the press after the match.

“The statements published by Egyptian and Spanish media, which spread widely on social media, turned out to be a complete fabrication,” the outlet reported.

“A referee is not permitted to comment after a match on decisions made. As Szymon Marciniak himself informed us, no such statement took place,” the article concluded.

Barcelona, for their part, remain insistent that the refereeing decisions cost them their place in the finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta alluded to the same in an address to the fans on Wednesday night while players and manager Hansi Flick have also been critical of Marciniak, even asking for an investigation.