Mateu Lohaz, the referee who issued 15 yellow cards in the World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and Netherlands has been sent home by FIFA.
Lohaz handed out an incredible 13 yellow cards in the 90 minutes of game time and three other yellow cards in extra-time up until the penalties that saw Argentina defeat Netherlands 4-3 to secure a place in the semi-finals against Croatia.
The referee’s performance was not well received by either of the teams with Argentina’s captain and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, leading the criticism of Lahoz.
Messi said, “I don’t want to speak about referees because after they will sanction you. But people saw what happened.
“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.”
Consequently, Lahoz will not be officiating in either the semi-finals or final of the World Cup.
Argentina face Croatia on Tuesday (today) while Morocco face defending champions France on Wednesday.