2022 FIFA World Cup
Messi Got His Wish As FIFA Allegedly Sent Home Referee In Charge Of Argentina vs Netherlands Clash

Controversial referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz has reportedly been sent home following reports of dubious decisions he made during the World Cup game he officiated.
Lahoz was in charge of the Argentina clash vs the Netherlands on December 9th and was on the spot for making unpopular and questionable decisions.
Mateu Lahoz will not be officiating any of the remaining games at the World Cup as he ‘heads home from Qatar’, according to COPE.
💥 Informa @partidazocope
🔚 Termina la participación de Mateu Lahoz en el Mundial tras el Países Bajos – Argentina
🛫 Regresa de vuelta a España
📺 Los árbitros VAR (Hdez Hdez, Martínez Munuera y De Burgos) con opciones de actuar en algún partido más
📻 #COPEMundial pic.twitter.com/ytpWYFdPAy
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) December 11, 2022
The referee’s final game was the feisty quarter-final clash between Argentina and Holland where he dished out an incredible 15 yellow cards.
Lahoz’s performance was not well received by either team – with Argentina’s players particularly vocal about his officiating.
Argentina’s captain and talisman, Lionel Messi, led the criticism of Lahoz following the game.
The 35-year-old continued: ‘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.’
It would appear that Messi has been granted his wish by Fifa – not allowing him to officiate in the semi-finals or the final.
Argentina’s keeper Emi Martinez joined his skipper in criticizing the official’s display.
Martinez said: ‘The referee was just giving everything for them.
‘He gave 10 minutes [added time] for no reason. He was giving free kicks outside the box for them, like two, or three times. He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So, hopefully, we don’t have that ref anymore. He’s useless.’
Despite their criticism of the referee, unlike Lahoz, Argentina’s World Cup campaign continues.
It should be noted that his sending back home might not be related to the Argentina game. However, fans online have been quick to say that Messi may have gotten his wish after all.