Cristiano Ronaldo BACKS FIFA conspiracy theories: Portugal star ‘likes’ journalist’s claim organisation is ‘one of the most corrupt institutions on the planet’ after bitter rival Lionel Messi’s fortuitous run to the World Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo apparently sympathizes with the view that FIFA is ‘one of the most corrupt institutions on the planet’.

The Portugal legend liked a post on Instagram in which a journalist claimed FIFA was a ‘disgraceful, mafia-like and shameful organisation’.

FIFA’s behavior and decision-making processes were under intense scrutiny throughout the World Cup and in the months leading up to it.

And after a series of decisions in the lead-up to the final, there was heavy speculation that President Gianni Infantino had ‘rigged’ the tournament in Argentina’s favour.

This is exactly what Spanish journalists Pilar Rodrigues Losantos and Ruben Amon discussed on the Espejo Publico program during the preparations for the World Cup final.

Ronaldo and Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the last 16. He liked a post showing the controversy; However, it should be noted that a like does not necessarily mean an agreement.

Ronaldo, who was eliminated in the last 16 by Portugal, liked the post calling FIFA ‘shameful’

Rodrigues Losantos said: ‘Argentina are a team that should have been eliminated about five games ago with the help of FIFA, one of the most corrupt institutions on the planet. [they weren’t eliminated].

‘In conclusion, Argentina does not scare me at all; What scares me is Infantino.

‘I think we will play not only against Argentina, but against the entire FIFA establishment, which wants to give the World Cup to Messi, as it did in Qatar four years ago.’

Amon added: ‘Ticket prices have transformed what was once a sport for the masses into an experience reserved for the elite; Football is now a people’s sport.

‘I find FIFA to be a miserable, mafia-like and shameful organisation. Football survives despite the behavior of this disturbing body and we will enjoy the match, but not thanks to the conditions imposed by FIFA.’

In the end, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time thanks to Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute winner.

Accusations of referee favoritism against Argentina in the final were quashed when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the final minutes of normal time.

However, many found it inexplicable that the goal was disallowed due to a suspected foul by Spaniard Nico Williams on Nicolas Otamendi during the build-up.

Many felt that Argentina received positive treatment throughout the tournament.

Messi avoids red card for apparent mark in Argentina’s first match against Algeria

This follows questionable decisions in Argentina’s favor throughout the tournament.

Lionel Messi should have been punished for the mark he made in Argentina’s first group game against Algeria, but he was completely off the card.

Messi, who scored a hat-trick in the match, caught Algerian captain Aissa Mandi with nails in her right calf and Achilles tendon in the challenge after the first goal he scored.

Algeria was awarded a free kick by the referee, but the incident was not even reviewed by VAR officials.

Egypt, meanwhile, reacted explosively after a series of crucial decisions went against them in their last 16 match against Argentina.

Firstly, striker Mostafa Ziko’s goal was disallowed after a VAR review for Marwan Attia’s foul on Lisandro Martinez. This foul occurred 18 seconds ago at the other end of the field. Attia definitely got Martinez; The debate continues as to whether giving nothing is a clear and obvious mistake.

What Egypt was most angry about was advancing towards Argentina’s winning goal. They argue that they should have taken a penalty at the other end of the match.

Mohamed Salah was brought down in the penalty area after Julian Alvarez cut his foot, but VAR did not even check the incident. Argentina went the other end and also scored in stoppage time – but Egypt must admit their defense was shoddy.

Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan accused FIFA of rigging the World Cup after their elimination by Argentina.

Switzerland accuse referee Joao Pinheiro of giving ‘every decision’ to Argentina

Pharaoh’s manager Hossam Hassan suffered a stroke during his post-match interview. ”We were better, but football is not fair,” he said.

‘It could be a marketing thing, they might want to have a World Cup with the winner of the last World Cup, they might want Messi to be present (in the tournament).

He later added: ‘Why is there no justice in sport? In football? I don’t want to try to put it nicely here with nice words. We were treated unfairly today. ‘We have been treated unfairly.’

Moreover, Switzerland were agitated after losing to Argentina in the quarter-finals, accusing the referees of being “one-sided” and “against” them.

The biggest controversy of the match was when Breel Donald Embolo was sent off with a second yellow card after diving.

Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on Embolo. However, referee Joao Pinheiro was instructed to have the decision reviewed by VAR under a new ‘mistaken identity’ rule.

The review showed that Embolo initiated contact with Paredes, left his right leg behind to make contact with the Argentine, and then rolled to his left. The rule allows the decision to be changed if a player is yellow carded or sent off, but the offense was actually committed by the opponent.

Embolo was the one at fault in the simulation and so he was shown the second yellow card. The striker burst into tears after becoming the first player to break the rule, but it was clear it was the right decision.

Lautaro Martinez avoided a yellow card for jumping into the stands after scoring against Switzerland.

Nevertheless, after the match, many members of the Swiss team came forward to voice their complaints.

Granit Xhaka said: ‘It’s painful if you have to lose because of a decision from the referee but it was his decision. It’s hard to accept it after the game because the dressing room was so quiet, it was disappointing. If you are disappointed after the match against the Argentinian team, this is a sign of a great mentality.

‘Rules are rules and we can’t change them but it’s a decision you end the game with. This is my opinion. I don’t know what else he can do, but don’t kill the game. We were very good at the game. ‘I believed we could achieve these things in 11v11, but it is very difficult to find the right words after the match.’

Defender Manuel Akanji said: ‘It gets difficult when the referee is in front of you. Every little thing is called out against us. Every dive and every foul of the Argentines went unpunished. I usually don’t say anything against the referees, but I have never experienced such a one-sided game as today.

‘As soon as the match was over, I thought: I’m proud of our team. What we achieved throughout the whole tournament, especially today… We played against the world champions and they had no chance.

‘I don’t remember a single goal opportunity in open play where we were lucky. ‘If the match had continued 11 v 11 it probably would have ended in our favour.’

Teammate Remo Freuler said: ‘We had high hopes and put in a fantastic performance until the red card. This naturally disrupted our flow. I still don’t understand how VAR could intervene in such a situation. FIFA needs to explain this to me.’

Coach Yakin added: ‘After the equalizer it was clear that the momentum was on our side. Unfortunately, this situation was penalized due to referee error. In this case, the referee should not have given a yellow card to the Argentine player.

Argentina made constant reference to the Falkland Islands throughout the World Cup

FIFA strongly denies accusations that it rigged the World Cup in Argentina’s favor

‘There is no reason for this; The incident wasn’t malicious or rude or anything like that. Then he corrects his own mistake and punishes us. This is incomprehensible and beyond my understanding.

‘The decision surprised me, it had no justification. It’s a shame.’

Finally, Argentina has so far escaped punishment from FIFA, despite its constant chanting for the Falkland Islands.

FIFA’s rules strictly prohibit political chants, slogans and banners in tournament venues. Haiti was forced to remove a small reference to the war of independence from their jerseys just days before the tournament.

After the semi-final against England, Argentine players unfurled a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son argentinas’ (The Falkland Islands are Argentinians). They could face disciplinary action for this but failed to do so ahead of the final against Spain.

The Argentines even received support from the US government on this issue. White House FIFA task force chairman Andrew Giuliani said: ‘We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States.’

Trust in FIFA has long been low and its decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension so he could play against Belgium following a phone call from Donald Trump did not help rebuild trust.