Daily Sports
Morocco launch official complaint about World Cup semi-final referee
Morocco claim they were denied two ‘obvious penalties’ as a result of ‘grotesque refereeing.’
The Morocco FA has filed an official complaint to FIFA over the performance of referee Cesar Ramos after their World Cup semi-final defeat to France.
The Atlas Lions fell to a 2-0 defeat to Didier Deschamps’ side, bringing an end to their historic run at the tournament, where they became the first-ever African side to reach the final four of a World Cup.
But many of the Moroccan players and staff were left fuming with referee Cesar Ramos’ performance during the game.
The Moroccan FA has now filed an official complaint to FIFA about the Mexican official’s performance, describing his officiating as “grotesque.”
They also claim they were denied “two obvious penalties” in the first half of the game,
BREAKING: Morocco 🇲🇦 FA (FRMF) has filed an official protest with FIFA regarding the 'grotesque refereeing' by Mexican official Cesar Romas for denying them 'two obvious penalties' in the first half of their semi-final clash with France last night.#WorldCup2022#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/vZsQfqOPE6
— Ibrahim Sannie Daara (@SannieDaara) December 15, 2022
In a statement on their website, the Moroccan FA also said: “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation strongly protested the refereeing of the Moroccan national team match against the French national team, led by Cesar Ramos.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation affirms that it will not hesitate to defend the rights of our team, calling for fairness in taking the necessary measures, regarding the refereeing injustice practised on the Moroccan national team in its match against the French national team in the semi-final of the World Cup.”
Perhaps the most controversial incident in the game came in the first half when Morocco forward Sofiane Boufal was booked after appearing to be taken out by France left-back Theo Hernandez in the penalty box.
Hakim Ziyech had found space inside Hernandez before the French defender then recovered, but a heavy touch inside the box saw him collide with Boufal.
The collision was given in favour of France, with referee Ramos then even dishing out a yellow card to the former Southampton player.
La Federación marroquí protestó ante la FIFA por el arbitraje del partido entre Marruecos y Francia dirigido por el mexicano César Ramos.
La nota carga contra el VAR por no haber avisado al árbitro de campo este penal de Theo Hernandez ante Boufal entre otras jugadas. pic.twitter.com/FSuXXFsSxY— Bambino Etchegoyen (@NDEtchegoyen) December 16, 2022
Many experts and fans were of the opinion that the decision was harsh towards Morocco.
Rio Ferdinand, in the BBC studio for their coverage of the match, said: “I think anywhere else on the pitch that’s a foul, so why is it not a penalty? That is out of order. I think it’s a pen, he definitely doesn’t deserve to get booked.”
Ferdinand’s thoughts were echoed by former England defender Stuart Pearce on talkSPORT who said: “I tell you what, I’m looking at that thinking that’s more of a penalty to Morocco than a free-kick to France.”
Antony was not happy with Fernandes
Manchester United duo Antony and Bruno Fernandes were seen clashing with each other in the first half of United’s draw against Crystal Palace.
Fernandes looked to have secured United the three points with a goal on the stroke of half time only for Michael Olise’s stunning free kick in second half stoppage time ensured a share of the spoils.
Wout Weghorst also made his debut for the club after they paid Beşiktaş to cancel his loan spell in Turkey and move to Old Trafford from Burnley until the end of the season, with United desperately in need of a striker
The majority of the first half saw Erik ten Hag’s side find it difficult to break down a resilient Palace defence with Antony in particular struggling to get the best of full back, Tyrick Mitchell.
It seemed as if tempers began to flare amongst the United ranks on the half hour mark as Antony and Fernandes were caught exchanging verbals with each other, leading to many speculating on social media.
Bruno fernandes and Antony arguing 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YaOagxqrBD
— YOUYOU_7 (@__YOUYOU___) January 18, 2023
One person wrote: “Bruno Fernandes beefing with Antony, all this bollocks about how they’re now a United team not individuals is hilarious.”
Another tweeted: “Bruno is right to be upset at Antony but it’s so funny seeing him get get taste of his own medicine.”
Bruno is right to be upset at Antony but it's so funny seeing him get get taste of his own medicine 😂😂pic.twitter.com/zzAcfw7gV0
— 🇨🇩🇸🇱 (@8Flavs) January 18, 2023
A third said: “The people saying Bruno & Antony shouldn’t be arguing with each other on the pitch have never played football.”
The people saying Bruno & Antony shouldn't be arguing with each other on the pitch have never played Football.
— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) January 18, 2023
United now prepare to face Arsenal at the weekend, where they will be without Casemiro after he was booked, taking his total tally to five, meaning he will miss out through suspension.
He did get in for a selfie with a pitch invader, though…
Casemiro poses for a selfie with a fan 🤣🤳
— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) January 18, 2023
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo has come out in support of Shakira following her high-profile split from Gerard Pique – Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate.
Colombian popstar Shakira shared a candid message with her fans on Instagram as she welcomed in the new year, taking a thinly-veiled swipe at her former partner by referencing “betrayal” and “heartache”.
“Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon’s hands,” the Hips Don’t Lie singer wrote. “Even if someone’s betrayed us, we must continue to trust others.”
In response, Antonela sent Shakira three heart emojis in the comments section, in the latest suggestion that she and her husband are taking the singer-songwriter’s side in the ugly saga.
Shortly after their split, it emerged that Pique was dating 23-year-old Barcelona-born Clara Chia.
Pique (L) and Shakira (R) split up after 11 years together in June (Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Messi and Pique spent over a decade as team-mates (Image: 2020 Getty Images)
Messi and Pique spent over a decade playing together at Barcelona, having emerged from the club’s famed La Masia academy at around the same time.
Messi moved to PSG in 2021, while Pique hung up his boots in November, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laded 19-year career that saw him win the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League, La Liga and the Premier League.
Source: Daily Star
Alisha Lehmann has kept her social media followers updated during a recent holiday in Miami – with many left asking how she is still single after her split from Douglas Luiz.
The 23-year-old Aston Villa forward and Switzerland international has been catching the eye both on and off the pitch in recent seasons – with her Instagram following growing to over 10 million.
Following a recent trip in which she posed on the beach for no less than nine separate ʙικιɴι snaps, many of her followers had one thing in mind.
One comment read: “She won’t stay single for long.”
A second said: “I was looking for the meaning of perfection and I found this.”
Alisha Lehmann’s holiday ʙικιɴι snaps delighted her followers (Image: alishalehmann7/Instagram)
Alisha Lehmann joined Aston Villa from West Ham back in 2021 (Image: Getty Images)
A fourth then concluded: “The most beautiful soccer player in the world.”
The WSL star was recently back in the headlines after splitting up with Villa midfielder Luiz and then removing their shared snaps from Instagram.
The couple are said to have split over a row regarding her 2023 calendar which reportedly led to a furious row between the pair.
Alisha Lehmann is an experienced Switzerland international with 34 caps (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann split having got together in early 2022 (Image: Instagram @alishalehmann7)
The split came after countless displays of public affection between the loved up couple – as well as him defending her for a comment made by a TV presenter.
Lehmann has also shared several clips of her Soccer AM cameo, in which he bagged a top bins in some style.
One of those to react was fellow Villa professional and Brazil international Luiz, who wrote on her upload with heart and fire emojis: “The best.”
Source: Daily Star
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