Qatar 2022: Referee Sent Home From World Cup After Being Criticised For Poor Officiating By Messi

Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz has been sent home from this year’s World Cup in Qatar, following criticism of his officiating in the quarter-final clash between Argentina and the Netherlands on Saturday, the Mirror reports.

Despite Argentina running out victorious on penalties, there were huge complaints sent the way of the official.

In what was a bad-tempered clash, Lahoz issued 17 yellow cards with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries also receiving his marching orders despite the game having already finished.

Meanwhile, two-goal hero for the Netherlands Wout Weghorst was also issued with a booking even before he took to the pitch.

Messi, the scorer of Argentina’s second goal from the penalty spot, aired his complaints about the official’s performance.

“This match shouldn’t have ended as it did,” Messi told TyC Sports.

“I don’t want to talk about the referee because they sanction you. But people saw what happened. We were afraid before the match because we knew how he was and I think FIFA has to review this. You can’t put a referee like him for these matches.”

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez berated Lahoz for his performance. He said: “The ref gave everything to them [Netherlands]. It all turned upside down

“He gave 10 minutes extra time for no reason. He just wanted them to score. That referee is crazy. Arrogant. You say something to him and he talks back to you. It’s crazy.

“Because Spain were eliminated, he wanted to eliminate us. He is the worst referee at the World Cup. Hopefully we won’t have him again – he’s useless.”

Now, it has emerged that Lahoz’s display has spelt the end of his World Cup campaign as the 45-year-old will not oversee any more matches at the tournament and is expected to return home to Spain.

Argentina will take on Croatia in the first semi-final on Tuesday while champions France will battle tournament surprise team Morocco, in the second semi-final on Wednesday.