Controversial World Cup referee who angered Lionel Messi reveals the REAL reason why he retired

A controversial World Cup referee has revealed the real reason why he was forced to retire after 32 years as a referee.

The Spanish referee was notorious for his bold decision-making in matches, especially when he took charge of Argentina’s World Cup match against the Netherlands last year.

The 46-year-old produced a record 17 cards, including red for Denzel Dumfries after Argentina’s penalty shootout win.

After the game, Messi led criticism against him, which resulted in him being sent home before the semi-finals of the tournament.

Now Mateu Lahoz claims he has been ‘demoted’ as a referee and ‘pushed’ into retirement by the Technical Committee for Referees (CTA) after being given a guard of honor in his final La Liga match last season.

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‘There has been some controversy, but people have to understand that I have been demoted. They demoted me, that’s the truth,” he said Marca.

‘I would have continued on the field. But for the CTA I was one of the worst referees last season and that’s why I’m not on the green.’

Following his World Cup controversy, Lahoz was immediately thrust back into the spotlight when he handed out another fifteen cards during a match between Barcelona and Espanyol.

Messi originally criticized the referee last year, saying: ‘I don’t want to talk about referees because after that they will sanction you. But people saw what happened.

‘I think FIFA should ensure this, they cannot use such a referee for a match of such magnitude, such importance. The referee has no choice but to do his job.’