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By John Ogunsemore
Former Barcelona striker, Thierry Henry has described the red card shown to defender, Pau Cubarsí during the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atlético Madrid as unjust, arguing it should have been a yellow card.
The incident occurred in the 43rd minute of Wednesday night’s match at Camp Nou, with the score still goalless.
Atlético midfielder Giuliano Simeone appeared to be through on goal when Cubarsí made a last-man challenge.
Referee István Kovács initially showed a yellow card, but after a VAR review the decision was upgraded to a straight red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Julián Álvarez opened the scoring from the resulting free-kick moments later.
Alexander Sørloth added a second goal as Atlético Madrid secured a 2-0 victory, leaving Barcelona with a difficult task in next week’s return leg at the Metropolitano Stadium.
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Cubarsí will miss the second leg through suspension.
Speaking as a pundit on CBS Sports, Henry disagreed with the referee’s final call.
“No, no, no… for me, that’s not a red card. I’m sorry. I understand the rule. Last man, denying a goal-scoring opportunity, but you have to look at the situation,” Henry said.
“The ball isn’t completely under control, the angle isn’t perfect, and there’s still distance to the goal. Are we sure he’s going to score? I’m not convinced.
“For me, it’s a yellow card, not a red. Because as soon as you send him off, you change the whole game. And in the Champions League, you have to be 100% sure. I think the referee was too quick there.”
The sending-off proved a decisive moment, shifting the momentum in Atlético’s favour and prompting widespread debate over the application of the DOGSO rule in high-stakes European ties.
Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick later expressed frustration at the decision’s impact on the contest.
The return leg takes place on Tuesday, April 15.
