OFFICIAL: Referee Muniz Ruiz is under investigation by FIFA for alleged match manipulation following Barça’s 4-1 defeat to Sevilla. Barça president Laporta intervened immediately, leaving fans completely stunned.

The arbitration scandal that marked the humiliating defeat of FC Barcelona 4-1 against Sevilla FC has climbed to international levels: FIFA has opened a formal investigation against the main referee, Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, for alleged manipulation in the controversial meeting of the eighth day of LaLiga played yesterday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The news, confirmed in an official statement from Zurich this morning, has left the world of football in suspense, especially to the fans of Culés, who already cried for justice after a “ghost” penalty that unbalanced the game. But the most shocking turn came from Joan Laporta, president of Barça, who immediately intervened with a complaint before UEFA and RFEF, revealing “irrefutable evidence” of irregularities that have deeply impacted the fans, flooding the networks with screams of indignation and support to the club.

Muñiz Ruiz, the 37 -year -old Galician collegiate who debuted first in 2021, is in the eye of the hurricane for his decision to grant a penalty to Seville in the 13th minute, after a minimum struggle between Ronald Araujo and Isaac Romero that he did not initially whistle. The VAR, directed by Carlos del Cerro Grande, called the monitor, and after a three -minute review, Muñiz rectified, allowing Alexis Sánchez –ex Blaugrana – to open the marker with coldness. Ex -archros like Iturralde González cataloged him as “non -existent”: “It was a theatrical hoax of Romero; there is no demolition, only mutual brace.” FIFA, alerted by the avalanche of complaints and in the context of the recent complaint of clean hands for “systemic corruption” in the Spanish arbitration – which already harmed Real Madrid – acted quickly. “It is investigated possible intentional manipulation that affects the integrity of the game,” says the bulletin, citing “irregular patterns in key decisions.” Muñiz, with a controversial history-as its arbitration in the Espanyol-Madrid last season that enraged Bernabéu-has been provisionally suspended, and the CTA has started an internal audit.

The game was a Calvary for Barça de Hansi Flick, who came undefeated in the League but was beaten. After 1-0, Dodi Lukebakio extended to 2-0 to 25 ′ in a backlash after loss of Jong’s Frenkie. Pedri cut 55 ′ with a spectacular right, but the VAR ignored a clear foul on Jules Koundé at the 3-1 origin of Lukebakio (68 ′), and Romero sealed 4-1 to 82 ′. Eloquent statistics: 18 culés shots (only 6 at the door) against 9 Sevillists (4 goals). Flick, expelled by protesting a yellow to Pedri, did not hide his anger: “This is not football; it is an arbitration robbery.” The result yielded the leadership to Madrid (22 points vs. 19), just before the FIFA break.

Laporta’s intervention was the trigger. Hours after the final whistle, President Culé – who had already tweeted “Flagrant injustice!” With 1.5 million interactions – he convened a lightning press conference at Camp Nou. “I have spoken directly with Gianni Infantino and contacted UEFA. We have recordings, testimonies and analytical data that demonstrate bias in the VAR. This is not a mistake; it is manipulation that harms Barça systematically,” he said, showing clips of the play and statistics of arbitral decisions against blaugranas this season (12% more penalty against). Laporta, remembering the Negreira case, accused the CTA of “lack of independence” and demanded the resignation of its president, Luis Medina Cantalejo. “We will not stop until equity reigns. Barça does not give up to conspiracies,” he finished, visibly excited.

The fans, hit by Laporta’s speed – who flew to Zurich last night for an emergency meeting – exploded in ecstasy and fury. #Investigacionfifa and #laportahero Trended Global with 3 million mentions in X; Muñiz memes as “comic villain” and songs in the Ramblas: “Justice culé!” In Seville, on the other hand, protests: the Hispanic club defends Muñiz and speaks of “Barcelona witch hunt.” Pundits like Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, mediated: “We support the investigation, but without politicizing football.”

For Barça, wounded but united, the break comes as an opportunity: Yamal and Gavi return, and Flick plans an “anti-referee training” in set-pieces. “Laporta has given us wings; now, we come back stronger,” Lewandowski tweeted. Will Muñiz fall? Reforms in the VAR? FIFA promises results in 72 hours. For now, the Camp Nou – under construction but roaring – vibrates with hope: the battle for the truth has just begun, and Barça, with Laporta at the helm, gives no respite.