Switzerland Star Calls Out ‘One-Sided’ Referee in Argentina Match as England Fans Worry About Semi-Final Bias

SWITZERLAND players are the latest to hit out at World Cup refs after being beaten by Argentina – fuelling conspiracy theories that Lionel Messi’s side are still getting preferential treatment.

The 2022 winners are through to the semis after a 3-1 win in extra-time – but it wasn’t without controversy yet again as they .

Manuel Akanji and his Swiss team-mates are the latest to slam Fifa for ref decisions at the World Cup Credit: Getty Breel Embolo was sent off against Argentina as his side exited in extra-time Credit: AP Granit Xhaka was left furious at the decision Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Remo Freuler could not believe the use of VAR Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off with 20 minutes left of the quarter-final .

checked the incident when Argentina midfielder had been booked for fouling Embolo with the scores level.

And with new power to overturn decisions made through mistaken identity, Embolo was punished for going down without contact.

Had the ref not booked Paredes then VAR would not have been able to recommend an on-field review.

And it was Paredes who Embolo fouled for his first-half card as well.

Portuguese ref Joao Pinheiro showed Embolo another yellow following the dive and dismissed him to the horror of the Swiss players.

They surrounded Pinheiro and protested angrily but could not change his mind.

The game went to extra-time and Argentina eventually found a winner thanks to Julian Alvarez’s stunning long-range strike.

Boss Murat Yakin complained after the game Credit: Alamy

But the manner of the loss incensed former defender and his team-mates.

An emotional Akanji said: “When you have the referee against you, it becomes difficult. Every little thing was called against us.

“Every dive and every foul by the Argentinians went unpunished. I don’t usually say anything against the officials, but I’ve never experienced such a one-sided game as today.

“As soon as the game was over, I thought: ‘I’m so proud of our team.’

“What we’ve achieved throughout the entire tournament, and especially today.

“We played against the world champions, and they didn’t stand a chance.

“I can’t recall a single scoring opportunity from open play where we were lucky.

“If the game had continued 11 against 11, it would have likely gone in our favour.”

This is not the first time refs have been singled out for decisions made appearing to help Argentina, .

when he stepped on Aissa Mandi’s leg half an hour in.

despite in the ‘s last-32 win over – although that was suspended thanks to .

Embolo was deemed to have dived for his second yellow card Credit: Alamy Footie fans are furious at another call going Argentina’s way Credit: Getty Folarin Balogun saw red when Lionel Messi escaped without punishment Credit: AP

And Akanji, now at Inter, was not the only Swiss player to feel let down.

Team-mate said: “We had high hopes and put in a superb performance until the red card.

“That, of course, disrupted our flow. I still don’t understand how VAR can intervene in such a situation. needs to explain that to me.”

And boss Murat Yakin added: “After the equaliser, we clearly had the momentum on our side.

“Unfortunately, this was punished by a refereeing error. The referee shouldn’t have given the Argentinian a yellow card in that situation.

“There’s no reason for it; the incident wasn’t malicious or rough or anything like that.

“Then he corrects his own mistake and punishes us. That’s incomprehensible and beyond my comprehension.

“The decision is baffling to me, there was no reason for it. 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.”

National captain also protested, saying: “The rules are the rules, we can’t change them.

“But with a decision like this, they’re killing football, that’s my opinion. I appeal to you: Don’t kill the game!”

This follows .

of and pushed for him to be stripped of any remaining matches.

The African giants were fuming after having a goal disallowed in the second half when they were 1-0 up – although they would go on to make double the lead shortly after anyway.

And then the Pharaohs .

felt there had been a foul and a potential penalty at the other end moments before.

Manager Hossam Hassan said: “If they want to win this World Cup so badly why go to the bother of calling everyone else to come and play in it?”

The Egyptian FA added: “We cannot remain silent.

Egypt players complained about two big moments in their last-16 loss Credit: Getty They had a goal ruled out for a controversial foul and then a potential penalty ignored Credit: Getty

“Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game.

“Egyptian has always respected the principles of fair play, sporting integrity, and respect for the game.

“These same principles require that all teams compete on equal terms and receive equal treatment.

“What occurred during the match has understandably generated widespread frustration among our players, staff and supporters about the serious mistakes and double standards.

“It is clear there were blatant errors with the VAR insisting on not reviewing some of the footage.

“We have demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire officiating team from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team.”

: “We were all upset. Everyone can see why.

“After I scored to make it 2-0 every decision went against us – every decision.

“I still can’t see why my other goal was ruled out.

“We never thought we had won the game, not when you are playing for the World Cup against the holders.

“We made some mistakes but we did not deserve to lose that way.”

And Hassan said the game had been “rigged.”

England supporters are worried that their match in the semis will be rigged Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Djed Spence was denied a spot kick in the Norway win for a similar incident to Nicolas Tagliafico winning one against Egypt Credit: Getty

They are not the only people to express that the tournament has been set up for Argentina, who now play England in the final four.

Three Lions fans are worried that they will be playing more than just 11 players in that game.

Some pointed out inconsistency with being denied a pen in extra-time against compared to Nicolas Tagliafico getting one for Argentina in the Egypt clash from the same position.

And even the ref’s use of new mistaken identity laws have caused debate with questions over if VAR should have been able to intervene.

The BBC’s rules chief, Dale Johnson, explains that something was not right: “Mistaken identity is a factual offence which does not involve the use of the monitor.

Egypt’s Hossam Hassan fed into the conspiracy theories Credit: Getty Thomas Tuchel has been critical of the officials Credit: Alamy

“Changing a yellow card to a dive is a subjective change of decision, hence monitor use. So not mistaken identity.”

It has left supporters fearing the England vs Argentina semi.

One wrote online: “England will destroy them unless the referee helps Argentina again, they have been playing so bad in this World Cup against small teams and even needing the referee’s help to win, I just don’t see how they can beat England without the referees.”

Another said: “England have to be so careful on Wednesday. The referees are going to do everything they can to get Argentina to the final. They’ve been doing it the entire World Cup, they’re not going to stop now.”

A third commented: “Let’s see what FIFA and the referees, who have favored Argentina so far, will do against England.”

And head coach , saying after the Mexico clash: “It’s not good enough

“He [the referee] can send any team out in any moment. It’s just not good enough.

“It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable in matches. Now we have two fourth officials who just scream at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s just not good enough.”