According to reports, the first leg of the 2010 UEFA Champions League semifinal between Barcelona and Inter Milan, held on April 20 at San Siro, was affected by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which disrupted air traffic and forced Barcelona to travel 1,000 kilometers by bus. However, the match is also remembered for the poor refereeing of Portuguese official Olegario Benquerenca.

Benquerenca incorrectly ruled out a Diego Milito goal for offside in the 9th minute, despite the Argentine striker being one-on-one with Víctor Valdés. Two minutes later, Samuel Eto’o was through on goal after beating Seydou Keita, but Benquerenca called a foul and showed Eto’o a yellow card for kicking the ball away.

In the 61st minute, Milito scored Inter’s third goal from an offside position, but Benquerenca allowed it to stand. In the 66th minute, he failed to send off Lionel Messi after the Argentine struck Maicon with his shoulder, leaving the Brazilian defender bleeding. Late in the game, Gerard Piqué was brought down in the penalty area while in an attacking position, but Benquerenca refused to award a penalty.

Fifteen years later, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo contacted Benquerenca, now 55 and working as an insurance broker. He said: “I have nothing to say or explain.”

When asked to comment on the match, Benquerenca ended the conversation: “I generally don’t like talking to journalists. Thank you for calling. You are all very serious, you can keep your seriousness and continue your work. I’m also doing very well.”