Portugal duo Pepe and Bruno Fernandes questioned the appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello after they crashed out in Saturday’s World Cup Quarter-final clash to Morocco.
The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup as Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half winner ended Portugal’s campaign.
Pepe missed a glorious chance to level the game in added-time and his frustrations seemed to boil over in the post-match interviews as he questioned why an Argentinean referee was given the game after Argentina’s players criticised officials following their quarter-final win over the Netherlands on Friday.
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“I’m going to have to say it. It’s unacceptable for an Argentine referee to referee our game. After what happened yesterday, with Messi talking, all of Argentina talking and the referee comes here.
“What did we play the second half? The goalkeeper dropped to the ground. There were only eight minutes of stoppage time. We worked hard and the referee eight minutes?
“We didn’t play anything in the second half. The only team that played football was us. We are sad. We had the quality to win the World Cup and we didn’t manage to.”
On his part Fernandes raged along the same lines, saying: “I don’t know if they’re going to give the trophy to Argentina.
“I don’t care, I’m going to say what I think and screw them. It’s very weird that a ref officiates us from a country still in the competition.
“Clearly they’ve tilted the field against us.”
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COMMENTS
What is the basis of this rant. I Watched the game and as far as I’m concerned the referee was fair in all his judgements. Why all this ranting. Even if the officials had given extra 30mins Portugal will still not win. The bitter truth is that the better team won.Football at the level is a matter of fine details. Morroco have better quality than u guys and they won.It should have been 2;0 so these guys Betterr respect yourself and go rest . Meanwhile against Ghana some questionable decisions were made in ur favour including a questionable penalty and you accepted it , scored and enjoyed without complaining..I no blame una sha . Awof sweet for belle as they say. lest I forget no need to acuse them of planning to award the cup to Argentina. That’s fallacious. This is not balloon d or . U must play to win and as it stands Messi and his team mate have come to the end of their journey against Croatia . They don’t have the quality to beat Croatia . so its game over for Argentina in the semis. Its Morroco vs Croatia in the finals
Ah beg no mind dem joor. England too na referee cuz am. England is saying the referee should have given them 4 penalties. How many matches do you see 4 penalties being given and what type of team is only looking to win by penalties? No be rugby be dat wey dem get unlimited penalty.