Diego Simeone and Filipe Luis state Barcelona got better treatment from referees than Atletico Madrid

Luis Suarez remianed on the pitch despite two violent incidents

(Getty)

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone and defender Filipe Luis have both hinted that Barcelona received preferential treatment from officials during the 2-1 Champions League quarter final defeat at the Nou Camp.

Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona fought from a goal back to beat Atletico on Tuesday evening after Fernando Torres, sent off for two yellow cards, opened the scoring.

However, there is a strong case to be made that Suarez should not have been on the pitch to score the goals after two incidents went virtually unpunished by referee Felix Brych and his team.

In the first half, a clearly frustrated Suarez kicked out at right-back Juanfran, who didn't react.

In the second half Suarez was again caught in an ugly incident as he tangled with former Chelsea defender Luis and slapped him.

The incident took place right in front of the fifth official, but Brych only decided to show Suarez a yellow card.

"They protect Barca," said Luis. "There is a worry that they’re going to get knocked out. I don’t know what [a Barcelona player] has to do to get sent off."

However, Luis argued that Torres should not have been sent off when it was clear both tackles deserved a yellow card.

"It was a totally unfair red card, his second foul and his second yellow. We knew that was going to happen, Barcelona in the Champions League. We have to play against everybody and everything.

"The manager said we needed an epic game to win. Now it will be difficult but we are still alive."

Simeone added: "I can’t say what I want … I need to think about what I’m saying so I don’t say anything I shouldn’t.

"Beyond the inequality there was in the match, we leave with a situation that allows us to have hope.

"I am very happy with my team. Once again, we started winning, we were doing very well."

Fernando Torres was sent off after two yellow cards in five minutes (Getty)

Torres, speaking about his own yellow cards, later told radio station Cadena Cope: "They shouldn't have been cards. If it had been the other way around then they wouldn't have been given.

"With 11 (men) we would have won without any doubt."

"Uefa worry about making us change shirts, but they didn't appoint a referee that is up to the level of the Champions League quarter-finals."