‘One-sided’ World Cup refs accused of ‘giving Argentina every decision’ to send Lionel Messi into a World Cup semi-final against England: Switzerland stars rage – just days after Egypt’s ‘rigging’ accusations

The World Cup referee who helped Lionel Messi and Argentina book a semi-final against England overnight has been accused of being ‘against’ Switzerland as anger grows over the perceived treatment of the world champions.

Swiss players and manager were furious after Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win saw striker Breel Embolo become the first player sent off due to a new mistaken identity rule.

In the 72nd minute of the quarter-final, Embolo received a second yellow card, which, after a video assistant referee review, led to the decision that he had dived rather than committed a foul on Argentinian Leandro Paredes. 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 will add to bizarre World Cup ‘fixing’ conspiracy theories which suggest Messi and Co are favored by FIFA to knock out England and lift the trophy in New Jersey next Sunday.

Swiss players protested after Breel Embolo received a red card late in the match

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’.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino later said: ‘I suffered against Argentina tonight… but I’m neutral.’ His comments fueled a feeling online that Messi and his team-mates were on their way to the final.

And now Switzerland is angry too. The man in the middle on Saturday night was Portuguese official Joao Pinheiro, while the VAR was Mexican Guillermo Pacheco.

Former Manchester City player and Inter Milan star Akanji said: ‘When the referee is in front of you, things get difficult. 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.’

Egypt was also angry about the refereeing treatment meted out to Argentina in the last round.

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.

‘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. We missed a great opportunity and unfortunately the journey is over. It hurts, but we can be proud. These are my great heroes.’

Captain Granit Xhaka said: ‘Rules are rules, we can’t change them. But they are killing football with such a decision, that’s my opinion. I appeal to you: Don’t kill the game!’

Trailing by 10 men, Switzerland continued until the 112th minute and Julian Alvarez sent a brilliant shot into the top corner. And then, in stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez added a third to set up the final chapter of one of football’s most storied tackles.

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Daily Mail Sport’s Daniel Matthews described Embolo’s dive as ‘a moment of stupidity’.

Embolo ended the World Cup the same way he started it; He was separated from his teammates and wondering what he did wrong. It’s been almost six weeks since the Swiss striker was prevented from traveling to the US due to visa issues.

It turns out that his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is no longer approved. Fortunately it didn’t take long for Embolo to rejoin the rest of the team and last month he led Yakin’s side, scoring twice, netting two more and causing plenty of trouble for Argentina as well.

However, officials objected to Embolo once again. Switzerland had just equalized when he looked at the referee monitor and noticed Embolo diving. The striker, who received a red card, could not hold back his tears.