Lionel Messi has urged FIFA to rethink their referee choice as he admitted his frustration in the direction of Antonio Mateu Lahoz’s efficiency in Friday’s World Cup semi-final.
The official dished out a cool 18 yellow playing cards all through the ill-tempered affair, which Argentina ultimately gained on penalties after throwing away a two-goal result in a late double from Wout Weghorst.
Messi, who arrange Argentina’s opener earlier than slotting dwelling a penalty inside 90 minutes, was ecstatic with the victory however couldn’t cover his disappointment in the direction of Lahoz’s efficiency after the sport.
“I was very upset,” he mentioned. “The sport was not presupposed to go [to penalties].
“I do not need to speak concerning the referee as a result of they sanction you, however individuals watched what occurred. We had been afraid earlier than the match as a result of we knew how he was.
“FIFA needs to rethink the referees they use for games like this. You can’t use a referee like him for these matches.”
Lahoz is without doubt one of the prime officers in La Liga and has loads of expertise with Messi from his time with Barcelona, even reserving the Argentine throughout his well-known tribute to the late Diego Maradona in November 2020 as he eliminated his shirt.
The referee additionally landed himself in sizzling water with Barcelona followers within the 2013/14 season when he dominated out a Messi objective in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that might assist Los Rojiblancos win the title. Lahoz later apologised for his error, reviews counsel.