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Bruno Fernandes and Pepe accuse referee Facundo Tello of bias after Portugal’s loss to Morocco, insisting that it is wrong for him to take charge while Argentina is still in the World Cup and criticizing his ability because “he doesn’t referee in La Liga of Champions”.
Portuguese duo Pepe and Bruno Fernandes have criticized FIFA for its decision to appoint Argentine referee Facundo Tello for their World Cup quarterfinal loss against Morocco.
Portugal became the latest major soccer nation to lose at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after Morocco made history as the first African and Arab country to reach the semifinals.
Speaking after the match, Pepe referenced the fallout from Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands as one reason he feels the odds are tilted in the South American nation’s favour.
Pepe was one of the Portugal players who surrounded the referee at the final whistle.
Lionel Messi, Emi Martinez and several other members of the Argentina team criticized referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for his performance in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Argentine goalkeeper Martinez also accused Lahoz of wanting the Netherlands to advance despite their eventual victory on penalties.
‘We conceded a goal we didn’t expect. But I have to say: it is unacceptable that an Argentine referee our game’, said Pepe. ‘After what happened yesterday, with Messi speaking. All of Argentina speaks and an Argentine referee comes out to whistle.
“After what I saw today, now they can give the title to Argentina.”
Portugal got frustrated with the referee, who showed Moroccan Walid Cheddira a late red card
Pepe approached the officials at the end of his rout and seemed visibly unhappy.
Fernandes echoed his teammate’s sentiments, saying the referee’s decision not to award him a penalty was particularly incredulous.
“Don’t touch me, I’ll say what I have to say,” said the midfielder. ‘It is very rare to have a referee who still has his team in competition and we don’t have a Portuguese referee.
Ours referee the Champions League, so they have the quality and level to be here. They don’t referee the Champions League, they’re not used to this type of match, they don’t have the rhythm for it.
They clearly tilted the field. In the first part there is a clear penalty on me. I am isolated and I will never in my life let myself down when I am alone in front of the goalkeeper and I can shoot on goal in such a situation.
Pepe’s implied reason for criticizing his appointment was that a referee from Messi’s homeland should not be in charge of a match involving Ronaldo. Portugal’s ties to Brazil – Argentina’s great rival – may also partly explain his outburst after the game. The defender himself was born and raised in Brazil until he crossed the Atlantic at the age of 18.
Cristiano Ronaldo had words with the referee when his World Cup dream came to an end
Meanwhile, the Morocco players celebrated like crazy while the Portugal players lamented the missed opportunities.
Cristiano Ronaldo was filmed crying as he made his way through the tunnel in his 196th, and perhaps last, appearance in Portugal.
Speaking after the greatest moment in her country’s football history, Sofyan Amrabat said they “1000 per cent deserved it.”
‘It’s really, really, really amazing. I’m so proud. We deserve this 1000 percent,” she said.
This is how we fight and play, with our hearts, for our country and for our people. We had some injuries and to have three defenders come in and defend like that, great respect. Great respect for everyone: for the fans, for the coach, for everyone.”
Morocco will play either England or France, who meet later on Saturday night, in the semi-finals.
Morocco’s stars were left in heaps on the ground as they came to terms with their achievement.