Lionel Messi investigation, Argentina vs Egypt ‘rigged’, FIFA row | Football | Sport
Argentina are through to the World Cup quarter-finals (Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know about the World Cup’s final round of 16 matches ahead of the quarter-finals…
- Quarter-finalists set – Thanks to a 3-2 win over Egypt, Argentina are through to the quarter finals of the World Cup. There, they will meet Switzerland, who achieved a penalty shootout win over Colombia. Elsewhere, France play Morocco, Spain are pitted against Belgium and England go against Norway.
- Claims of foul play from fans – A number of supporters were quick to claim that the tournament has been ‘rigged’ in Lionel Messi’s favour, following a late Argentina comeback. Mostafa Ziko looked to have made it 2-0 for Egypt on Tuesday evening in the second-half when his goal was overruled for a questionable foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up – something some labelled as a ‘disgrace.’ While Ziko eventually managed Egyot’s second in the 67th minute, a late Argentina rally saw the African nation omitted from the competition.
- Ziko criticism – Ziko also shared the idea that the match was rigged in the aftermath, criticising referee Francois Letexier. He said: “It was a rigged game. It wasn’t our fault. That referee…it seems like this match was rigged. We were winning 2-0, and he kept coming at us. Congratulations to Argentina on another World Cup, it seems.”
- An anti-racism showing – A number of Egypt coaches were booked late into the Argentina match, with one being sent off as a result of claims of fixing. Among the chaos, Hossam Hassan appeared to make an ‘X’ with his arms above his head in front of Letexier – who seemingly ignored him. It’s a gesture which is used by players and coaches to report racist abuse, however, it is unclear as to the reason why Hassan used it.
- FIFA investigation – The governing body has launched an investigation into alleged racist abuse toward IShowSpeed during Argentina’s win over Cape Verde last week. The 21-year-old streamer was spotted in a verbal altercation with an Argentina fan after taunting Messi, before he appeared to be hit with racist abuse in Spanish tongue. As a result, FIFA is investigating the incident.
- UEFA hypocrisy jab – FIFA has picked problem with UEFA’s condemnation of Folarin Balogun’s match ban suspension. UEFA claimed that world football had crossed “a red line,” by allowing the USA striker to play against Belgium, but FIFA retorted how a number of UEFA-affiliated member associations have also seen red cards overturned without dispute.
- Jordan Henderson update – The England midfielder will miss the rest of the World Cup after a freak accident sustained in the aftermath of the nation’s 3-2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. And he has since shared an update with fans on social media. He wrote on Instagram: “A night to remember that’s for sure! What an incredible performance against all the different challenges. So proud to be a part of this special team [emojis]. Thanks for all the support, another big one Saturday.”
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