FIFA has sent home Mateu Lohaz, the referee who issued 15 yellow cards in the World Cup quarterfinal game between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Argentina defeated Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals against Croatia after Lohaz issued an astounding 13 yellow cards during the full 90 minutes of play. Three more yellow cards were issued during extra time.
Both teams had issues with the referee’s performance, and Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina and a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, was the most vocal critic of Lahoz.
Messi said, “I don’t want to speak about referees because after they will sanction you. But people saw what happened.
“I think FIFA must take care of this, it cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance. The referee cannot fail to be up to the task.”
Lahoz will therefore not be the referee for the World Cup final or semifinals.
Yesterday featured an Argentina vs. Croatia match, and Wednesday features a Morocco vs. France match.
The World Cup final will take place on December 18, 2022, and the winners will advance to that game.
