Moreno Critiques Referee Decision
Venezuelan former footballer Alejandro Moreno has claimed that Lionel Messi should have been shown a red card for a studs‑up challenge on Algeria’s defender Aissa Mandi during Argentina’s 3‑0 win at the World Cup.
Around the 30‑minute mark, Mandi went down after Messi lunged into the tackle with his studs raised, striking the Algerian’s calf. Referee Szymon Marciniak allowed play to continue despite visible protests from the players.
Messi remained on the pitch, scored twice after halftime to complete a hat‑trick and helped secure the comfortable victory for the reigning world champions.
Moreno, speaking on ESPN, insisted the incident was “100% a red card” and argued it highlighted a pattern where football’s biggest stars receive preferential treatment.
He also questioned why the Video Assistant Referee did not advise Marciniak to review the challenge on the pitch‑side monitor, saying the live and replay footage clearly showed a dangerous tackle.
Moreno described the challenge as clumsy and dangerous, noting that Messi raked the back of Mandi’s calf from the knee down to the ankle.
The controversy is heightened because Marciniak also refereed Argentina’s dramatic win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, adding further scrutiny to his officiating.
About the Author
