Champions League 2010-11: 5 Most Controversial Barcelona Moments

Although the most important moment of the contest is yet to come, the first 124 games of the 2010-11 Champions League have provided their fair share of excitement. Also inevitable in such high-profile encounters is controversy. Controversy is considered part of the game, and every team, at one point or another, will become embroiled in it.

F.C. Barcelona is no exception. Although best known for their deadly passing game and attacking football, several of their games this season have been marred or overshadowed by situations which have the ability to change the course of a match as well as ignite fiery debates over which team was at fault and what the consequences should be.

Here are five controversial moments of Barcelona's Champions League run.

Barcelona vs. FC København: José Pinto Suspended for Whistling

This is likely the least controversial moment, as Pinto was found guilty by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body.

After César Santin found himself in a one-on-one situation, Pinto imitated the referee's whistle and held up his hand in order to successfully fool Santin into thinking that he was offside.

It is included because it is an immoral act, and against a small team to boot.

My view: No one can complain about UEFA's decision to suspend Pinto; he cheated and he was caught.

Barcelona vs. Arsenal: Robin Van Persie Sent Off After Time Wasting

Footage of the game starts at 1:10

Although there was only one second between the referee's whistle for offside and Robin Van Persie's shot, the referee still found it reasonable to show Van Persie a yellow card, not to mention his second of the night.

Yes, Arsenal was leading 4-3 on aggregate at this point, but it seems harsh to send Van Persie off for a shot that was taken less than a second after the whistle was blown in a very important Champions League game in a stadium filled with 98,000 electric fans.

In the video above, Van Persie labels the red card "a total joke" and claims that he could "not hear his whistle, with 95,000 people jumping up".

My view: Van Persie should have stayed on; there was so little time between the offside call and RVP's shot that it should have been forgiven. Furthermore, this incident occurred at a crucial moment in the match, preceding two Barcelona goals and the famous Bendtner miss. One can only wonder what would have happened if Van Persie, not the under performing Danish striker, had been given the opportunity to put Arsenal through.

Also worthy of note: Messi's brilliant goal in the first half, Abidal choking Van Persie.

Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Iniesta Given Yellow Card, One Match Ban

Footage of the incident begins at 2:53

With passage to the Champions League semifinals against rivals Real Madrid virtually assured, Andres Iniesta, the only Barcelonta player with two yellow cards, prevented Shakhtar from taking a free kick until he was shown a yellow card. As this was his third of the competition, Iniesta was suspended for the meaningless away fixture but had his accumulated yellow cards cleared.

Many of you remember when Real Madrid players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were given yellow cards for time wasting, and in both cases had their disciplinary records "reset." Their cases are similar in essence to Iniesta's, despite the fact that Alonso and Ramos exaggerated, were under orders and received their second yellows of the night. The intentions of all three aforementioned players were clear.

My view: Alonso and Ramos both received fines, so Iniesta should have been handed one as well. I don't think that he should be fined as harshly as the Madrid players, as the incident was relatively low-key. After all, some of you may still be inclined to think that it was a coincidence that the one Barcelona player on two yellow cards was given a third for time wasting and forced to miss an inconsequential match!

Also worth watching: my favorite goal of the night: Dani Alves' goal following a beautiful Iniesta pass.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Pepe Sent Off for Tackle on Dani Alves

Some fairly pro-Barcelona footage (No slow-motion replay)

Almost everyone who follows football has seen this incident at one point or another. Supposedly, Pepe lunged in recklessly and made contact with Alves, prompting the referee to brandish a red card. I at first agreed with this decision; it seemed as if Pepe injured Alves by coming in so quickly.

However, slow motion replays suggested otherwise. Many suggested that Pepe had a right to challenge Alves for the ball, and furthermore, did not even touch Alves, leaving many to wonder why Alves had been writhing in pain until being stretchered off. Some may insist that Pepe did make a lot of contact with Alves, but watching the Brazilian run back onto the field only seconds later suggests otherwise.

My view: I am biased, but I really do think it should have been a yellow card. I have probably watched it over a hundred times by now, and yes, it was a bit reckless, but at the same time, Pepe was given the opportunity to take the ball from Alves, and he took it.

Also worthy of note: Barcelona's theatrics, Madrid's defensive display

Also worth watching: Messi's second goal against Madrid (87th minute)

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Higuain "Disallowed" Goal

A final moment of Clásico controversy. After nudging the ball forward, Cristiano Ronaldo was pushed by Gerard Pique and fell to the ground, making contact with Javier Mascherano, who fell as well. Gonzalo Higuain curled the ball around Victor Valdes just as the referee blew the whistle. 

My view: free kick for Madrid. The most interesting thing about this play is not that the referee disallowed the goal but that he awarded Barcelona a free kick. I really don't see why; I believe that his only options were to penalize Pique for fouling Ronaldo or allow the goal. Despite the fact that Ronaldo's contact with Mascherano was solely because of Pique's push, the latter option would have been harsh, because the Barcelona defensive midfielder had a genuine chance of stopping Higuain. A very tough call for any referee to make.

Manchester United vs. Barcelona?

Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

BANGKOK, THAILAND - MARCH 16: The UEFA Champions League Trophy is displayed during the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Asia 2011 Press Conference on March 16, 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images)

Last year's Champions League final was a fairly straightforward affair, but this one promises to be a real cracker!

We can only imagine what's in store for us if this game lives up to our expectations. May the best team win.

Thank you for your time. Feel free to comment on any of the controversies and my opinions of them, or to simply offer me some advice.