Argentina has no excuse but to win the entire World Cup now. FIFA has proven that they will side with Lionel Messi's country until the very end, after their last-gasp goal against Egypt controversially stood despite a foul on Mohamed Salah in the buildup. Again, FIFA has handed them a new lifeline.
Every single official in the France vs Morocco quarterfinal will be Argentinian.
Yes. Every single one.
Role | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
Referee | Facundo Tello | Argentine |
Assistant Referee 1 | Juan Pablo Belatti | Argentine |
Assistant Referee 2 | Gabriel Chade | Argentine |
4th Official | Dario Herrera | Argentine |
Reserve Assistant Referee | Cristian Navarro | Argentine |
Kylian Mbappe is the first Real Madrid icon FIFA disrespected
Obviously, this comes as a bitter sting to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. While he's made it abundantly clear he's gunning for France's success more than his own, having an entire roster of officials being from Argentina goes against those aspirations.
Obviously, these are qualified officials. They absolutely have the talent and discretion to manage a game like this, but still, why on earth would FIFA allow this?
There are already an abundance of calls from fans for favouritism and, yes, even corruption from FIFA. They've proven they will surrender their own integrity and bend rules for the USA only, but now the beloved Stars and Stripes are out, it's advantage Argentina.
Referees are taught to put their own biases aside. It's rule number one of coaching - in the same way that high school students are taught not to drink at parties.
It just feels like yet another kick in the teeth for fans wanting transparency and an even playing field for all nations at this year's World Cup. The competition has been expanded, and the 'minnow' teams have had their fair share of joy... But when all is said and done, the tournament expansion has not resulted in fairness. Not one bit.
There is a clear conflict of interest here. French fans will be calling for justice in officiating; any Argentina fan will be crossing their fingers for Morocco to progress. That is no disservice to Morocco, who have every right to go far in the competition, but everybody knows France are the favourites.
Whoever wins between France and Morocco will face the winner of Spain and Belgium. Given the way the bracket is laid out, most people would assume the 2022 France and Argentina final will be repeated - not if FIFA has anything to do with it.
FIFA is doing everything to finish Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Watch the game and keep a close eye on the officials' calls. Nobody can say they will be unjust until we can truly judge for ourselves. At this stage of the proceedings, though, you cannot help but feel like FIFA is rooting for Lionel Messi to win yet another World Cup, essentially burying the Cristiano Ronaldo debate for good.
It would be a real shame and a downright disrespect to CR7 if it ended that way.
Two greats who, at the height of their games, competed against one another in La Liga. Let's face it, La Liga isn't known for fair treatment of all its teams - Real Madrid fans know this all too well - but FIFA is making La Liga look rational. That's quite the achievement, Gianni.
Looking back in the history books centuries from now, vital context will be missing from the numbers of the Messi vs Ronaldo debate. If Messi wins the World Cup for the second time in a row, the debate is dead in the water. Still, with Messi being handed two lifelines in the space of a few hours by FIFA, it is every Cristiano Ronaldo fan's duty to call out the injustice happening in front of their very eyes.
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