Following Portugal’s loss to Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, star midfielder Bruno Fernandes has come out in criticism of referee Facundo Tello.
Cristiano Ronaldo began the game from the bench for his side, with hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos spearheading the attack. In the 42nd minute of the game, Youssef En-Nesyri gave the African side the lead. The Sevilla centre-forward towered over Ruben Dias and Diogo Costa inside the Portuguese penalty area, as he scored with a spectacular header.
Ronaldo entered the game in the 51st minute as a substitute. But Morocco was not an option. Despite several players suffering from weariness and injuries, Walid Regragui’s team held on to a slim lead. They became the first African team to reach the World Cup semis.
The midfielder has been heavily criticised for his comments by a number of experts and pundits alike. It was pointed out that although the fact that the referee was Argentine should not make much difference, the referee did show Walid Cheddira a red card for what appeared to be a harsh decision.
Nevertheless, Fernandes was irritated because an Argentine referee was in charge of the game. He believes that because Argentina is still in the FIFA World Cup, South American officials should not have been in charge.
“I don’t know if they’re going to give the cup to Argentina. I don’t care, I’m going to say what I think and screw them. It’s very strange that a referee from a team that whistles us it’s still in the World Cup. They’ve clearly tilted the field against us.
Our referees officiate the Champions League, so they have the quality and level to be here. They [Argentine referees] don’t referee in the Champions League, they are not used to this type of game, they don’t have the pace for this.”
the Manchester United midfielder said after the game.
