The referee Lionel Messi slammed after Argentina's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in their 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final this past Friday has reportedly been sent home.
Portugal Star Blames Messi For World Cup Exit?
According to multiple publications across Europe, Spanish official Antonio Mateu Lahoz will play no further part in Qatar after the events that occurred between the Dutch and the Argentines on Friday.
Lahoz dished out an incredible 18 yellow cards, as well as a red card after the penalty shootout was concluded, with Messi and his teammate Emiliano Martinez taking aim at his performance in post-match interviews.
However, it was not just players from the Albiceleste camp who were unhappy with the controversial referee as a number of Dutch stars, including Frenkie de Jong, also publicly lambasted some of the match official's decisions.
"As soon as regulation time ended, they went for him. From that moment he only whistled for Argentina. It was really scandalous. I think he lost his way in extra-time," he said, according to Barca Blaugranes.
COPE reports that Lahoz has been sent home by FIFA, although it is unclear if he will not referee any other games in Qatar as a direct result of Friday's temperamental last eight clash.
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