World Cup final officials hit back at French fans after criticizing Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal

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World Cup final officials have hit back at criticism from French fans and the media as the fallout from Argentina’s victory continues.

Complaints began immediately after last weekend’s remarkable final game, with LEquipe among those claiming Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal should have been ruled out as two Argentine substitutes were already on the pitch celebrating before the ball does not cross the line.

It made Argentina 3-2 before Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick late in extra time to send it on a penalty shoot-out, which was won when Gonzalo Montiel converted his kick.

Referee Szymon Marciniak was praised by many for his refereeing in the final and responded to disgruntled French fans at a press conference by lifting his phone and revealing a picture he said showed a certain number of substitutes were also on the field for one of the Goals of the Blues.

The French didn’t mention this photo, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the pitch when Mbappe scores a goal, Marciniak said.

More than 200,000 people have now signed a petition to replay the final, with many French fans believing Argentina’s first goal, a Messi penalty, came after an Angel di Maria dive. There are also suggestions that Mbappe was fouled in the build-up to his second goal.

Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who was the VAR official for the final, has little time for criticism aimed at him and his colleagues.

There were six goals where there were several tight situations in the crucial phase of the attacks, he clarified via RMC Sport.

I had three penalties which were very well dictated by Szymon Marciniak. I had two situations with a potential red card and a super difficult dive from Marcus Thuram, and remember sometimes a dive hangs in the balance with a penalty.

He added: “When you’re sitting in a warm armchair, drinking a beer and eating crisps, everything seems simple, he tackles the criticisms leveled against the refereeing of this final.

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