‘Don’t be disrespectful – speak to me respectfully’: Lionel Messi’s unusual exchange with World Cup referee is revealed… as officials face new scrutiny over Argentina’s ‘rigged’ run to the semi-finals
Lionel Messi was filmed heatedly saying ‘talk to me with respect’ to the referee during Argentina’s match against Switzerland this morning.
The incident occurred in the 42nd minute of the South Americans’ 3-1 victory over Switzerland, when Messi was confronted by Portuguese official Joao Pinheiro.
The conversation between the two was recorded by the broadcasters and the Argentinian captain, which went viral on social media, was heard telling the referee: ‘Speak with respect, do not disrespect. Speak to me respectfully. ‘I spoke to you respectfully.’
The Argentines took a 1-0 lead on the brink of halftime thanks to an early header from Alexis Mac Allister in Kansas City.
Switzerland then hit back when Dan Ndoye cut in from behind and side-footed an effort past Emi Martinez into the bottom corner.
However, after Breel Embolo was sent off for diving, the world champions prevailed against the 10-man team in extra time. Julian Alvarez regained the lead with a superb strike from distance, and with just a few seconds left, Lautaro Martinez made it 3-1.
Lionel Messi ordered the referee to speak to him respectfully during Argentina’s match against Switzerland.
The match witnessed controversy when the Swiss referee protested the decision to send off Breel Embolo.
However, the result sparked controversy, with Switzerland targeting the referee for his decision to send off Embolo in the 72nd minute.
Rather than being fouled by Argentine Leandro Paredes, the striker received a second yellow card following a video assistant referee review, leading to the decision that he had dived. A new rule introduced for this World Cup states that if a player receives a yellow card or is sent off (but the foul was actually committed by the opposing team), the decision can be changed.
Switzerland’s reaction was definitive. Defender Manuel Akanji said: ‘The slightest thing was called against us’ and ‘I’ve never experienced such a one-sided game.’ Coach Murat Yakin described the refereeing as ‘incomprehensible’.
Their comments further fuel bizarre World Cup ‘fixing’ conspiracy theories which suggest Messi and Co are favored by FIFA to take on England and lift the trophy in New Jersey next Sunday.
Egypt, which lost to Argentina in the last round, requested an investigation from FIFA regarding its exit. Their winger Mostafa Ziko said: ‘This tournament has been fixed’, while coach Hossam Hassan said: ‘This match was rigged and the whole world saw it.’
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief referee officer, responded by stating that ‘no one can question the integrity’ of refereeing and that ‘unfounded allegations have no place in our sport’.
But former Manchester City defender Akanji later accused the Portuguese official of ‘being against’ him and his team-mates.
He became enraged: ‘Every little thing has been called 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.
Lautaro Martinez’s last goal defeated Argentina 3-1 in Kansas City.
‘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.’
The result means Argentina will face England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, after the Three Lions beat Norway earlier in the night.
Speaking after the Argentina quarter-final, Messi sent a message to England ahead of a big match.
He said: ‘Everything I see and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] Videos and images that Argentinians watch and relive all the time.
‘But I think this group is used to playing a football match regardless of the opponent. Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse and games against powerhouses are always special.
‘Personally, it will be my first time playing against them. I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be good.
‘And we’ll experience it for what it is: a World Cup semi-final against a strong team, a great team, and we’ll try to come in the best shape possible to compete again.’
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