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| Pepe raged at Argentina referee Facundo Tello multiple times during the match |
Just days after defeating Switzerland in a 6-1 world cup
round of 16 match, Fernando Santos's Portugal have poured in heavy criticism towards
an Argentine referee, Facundo Tello
after their unexpected exit from the competition.
Morocco, who have conceded just a single goal throughout
their run to the semi-finals, displayed
a disciplined football in first half of the game just before Youssef En-Nesyri
embraced a golden opportunity that presented itself to put the Atlas Lions in a
1-0 narrow lead.
Just minutes after the only goal of the match, Portugal stars felt
that they were robbed a penalty after a Achraf Rakim roughly tackled Bruno
Fernandes.
Fernandes and his teammates tried to pressure referee Tello to award
them the claimed penalty, but Tello with the backing of VAR stood by his decision minutes before the frustrated Portugal team marched to dressing room for a half time break.
The Portuguese fans booed the referee further in the second
half after he denied their boys a possible penalty following potential handball.
later in the match, Portugal boss, Fernando Santos introduced Cristiano Ronaldo
on the pitch at the 70th minute but 37- yrear- old failed to find his way to
the back of Morocco net.
The heart broken Portugal players made sure they let referee Tello
knows their frustrations with some of them tried to handle him physically.
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| Ruben Diaz furiously claimed that FIFA are showing bias towards Argentina at the World Cup |
After the match, Manchester City defender, Ruben Diaz said his
side was refused a clear penalty, “He
raised the decisions of the game and he didn’t smile at us throughout the game.”
Pepe who missed the best chance in the added time said that
it was not right thing to use a referee from Argentina in their match.
“This is stronger than me I have to say it, it is
unacceptable for an Argentine referee to referee our game. The feeling and the
arrogance of the referee on the field. I can bet everything I have that Argentina
will be the champions” said Pepe.
