World Cup final referee responds to criticism in France over Lionel Messi goal

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The World Cup final ended nearly a week ago but the drama surrounding it continued as the match referee showed a picture on his phone during a conference release to respond to claims that Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal shouldn’t have stood.

Argentina won the final in Lusail, Qatar 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 3-3 after 120 minutes of action, with Messi scoring twice and Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick for France .

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Szymon Marciniak, the first Polish referee to officiate a World Cup final, has been criticized by French media that he should have scored Messi’s goal in extra time because two Argentinian substitutes appeared to enter the pitch before the ball was n enters the net.

According to the regulations, Messi’s second goal, in extra time, should have been disallowed by the match referee, Szymon Marciniak. Argentinian substitutes were already on the pitch before the ball went over Hugo Lloris’ goal line https://t.co/zR3T2EekCR pic.twitter.com/D8cmoe8xw5

THE TEAM (@lequipe) December 19, 2022

French newspaper L’Equipe mentioned International Football Association Board Law 3(9), which states that the referee must disallow the goal if a substituted player was on the field of play when the goal was scored.

Marciniak responded to criticism in a unique way.

He took out a screenshot on his phone which showed seven French substitutes entering the pitch as they celebrated one of Mbappe’s goals.

“The French didn’t mention this picture, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the pitch when Mbappe scores a goal,” Marciniak said holding the phone while talking to reporters.

Marciniak’s comments came after a petition was launched calling for the final to be replayed due to refereeing errors. The petition has so far exceeded 220,000 signatures.

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