On Friday, December 9, the quarterfinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina degenerates into chaos as a new yellow card record is set.
FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Argentina and the Netherlands following their tense match.
Social media users and media outlets debated the number of cards given to the players by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz during the match.
Who Is Antonio Mateu Lahoz?
Antonio Mateu Lahoz is a Spanish football referee who has been working in La Liga since 2008.
He has officiated matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Lahoz began officiating in La Liga in 2008.
Lahoz has officiated there frequently since then and is now regarded as one of Spain's top referees.
Mateu Lahoz officiated his final World Cup in 2022, according to reports, after previously officiating the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Furthermore, he may officiate at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Users Shared Different Figures of Yellow Cards
Mateu Lahoz's officiating in Argentina's 2022 World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands sparked controversy.
Following the game, different figures for the number of yellow cards issued by the referee circulated among media outlets and social media users.
According to some users, Mateu Lahoz issued 13 yellow cards during the game, eight to Argentina and five to the Netherlands.
Other users claimed that the referee issued a whopping 14 yellow cards during Argentina's game against the Netherlands.
According to Sports Brief, referee Mateu Lahoz issued 15 yellow cards, including two in the shootout.
According to iDiski Times, a sports media outlet, Lahoz issued 16 yellow cards during the match.
How Many Yellow Cards Did Lahoz Issue During the Match?
On December 9, the Netherlands and Argentina played their World Cup quarterfinal.
Following the 2-2 draw and Argentina's victory in the penalty shootout, there were further contentious incidents on the pitch.
Misbar conducted a search on reliable media sources for the exact number of cards Lahoz handed out to players during the match.
According to the BBC and ESPN, 18 was the number of yellow cards that the referee issued, making a record for a World Cup match.
The referee issued eight yellow cards for Dutch footballers, eight for Argentine footballers, and one each for Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, and Walter Samuel, the coach.
Denzel Dumfries, a Netherlands player, was the only player to receive two yellow cards and be dismissed, and that was after Lautaro Martinez had scored the winning shootout penalty kick.
Following the winning goal, the Argentina players mocked the Dutch players, who were then attacked by Dumfries.
Netherlands and Argentine Charged by FIFA
Following their heated 2022 World Cup quarterfinal, FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Argentina and the Netherlands.
Argentina was the subject of FIFA’s disciplinary committee's investigation, "Due to potential breaches of articles 12 (misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (order and security at matches.)"
The governing body of football added, "Additionally, the FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association due to potential breaches of article 12 of the FIFA disciplinary code in relation to the same match."
Argentine Players' Comments on the Referee
Messi said in a post-match interview, "I don't want to speak about referees because after they will sanction you. But people saw what happened."
"I think FIFA must take care of this, it cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance. The referee cannot fail to be up to the task." Messi added.
Other Argentine players also complained that the referee was "biased."
The referee added 10 minutes of extra time to the match and awarded a number of free kicks to the Netherlands team without providing an explanation.
Did FIFA Exclude Lahoz Following the Match?
Social media users and media outlets published news headlines such as "FIFA grants Messi's wish," "The referee returned home after receiving yellow cards," and "FIFA sends the controversial referee home."
Misbar investigated the claim before and found that FIFA has not commented on the referee’s officiating of the match.
Misbar’s Sources
