Algeria files complaint over referee’s decision on Messi tackle

Algeria has filed a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging “refereeing injustice” in its opening World Cup defeat by Argentina, according to an Algerian football federation source who spoke to AFP on Friday.

In the 30th minute of Tuesday’s match, Lionel Messi delivered a studs‑up challenge from behind that caught Algeria defender Aissa Mandi on the calf. The referee did not issue a booking for the tackle.

Messi, who had already given Argentina the lead, went on to score a hat‑trick, tying former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all‑time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

The federation source said the complaint focuses mainly on Messi’s challenge, which “deserved a red card, in everyone’s opinion.” The source added that two other elbow incidents also warranted dismissals.

Algeria will face Jordan in their second group match on Monday, followed by a final Group J game against Austria on Saturday, June 27.

When asked why the federation chose to lodge the complaint, the source said, “We are not saying that the Argentine team was not strong, but we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice.” He added that “there were three incidents that were crystal clear, and VAR did not intervene.”

Algeria hopes to reach the knockout phase for only the second time, after an extra‑time loss to eventual winners Germany in the last 16 in 2014.

j

The post Algeria file complaint over referee’s decision on Messi tackle appeared first on Vanguard News.