by WHAT THE REF? FIVE ARGENTINES make up the eight-person referee team for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final.
Facundo Tello will be the man with the whistle and has refereed two group stage games at the tournament.
Argentine Tello will take charge of Portugal’s game against Morocco
Tello took charge of Portugal’s 2-1 loss to South Korea in the group stages
The 40-year-old took charge of Switzerland vs Cameroon and South Korea’s victory over Portugal.
Tello only gained his FIFA badge in 2019 and spent a large part of his career refereeing in the Argentine second division.
He’ll be backed up by compatriots Ezequiel Brailovsky and Gabriel Chade, who’ll man the touchlines.
While Central American Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros will be the man in between Fernando Santos and Walid Regragui.
VAR hot seat is Argentine Mauro Vigilano, and he’ll be backed up by Spaniard Ricardo De Burgos, compatriot Diego Bonfa and American Armando Villarreal.
And the refereeing team has all fans saying the same thing: Advantage Morocco.
Some are suggesting the Argentines could favour the Moroccans – and do Lionel Messi a favour by knockingout GOAT rival Ronaldo.
One tweeted: “Morocco is definitely winning.”
Another said: “SEND PORTUGAL PACKING.”
A third fumed: “Why is there so many Argentinian…? now if this match will be unfair *again*, i’m going to riot.. I can’t handle another biased match.”
Argentina are, of course, through to the semis where they will face 2018 finalists Croatia.
Lionel Messi and Co beat Holland on Friday in a dramatic penalty shootout marred with shoving matches.
One of Portugal or Morocco will play world champions France or England for a place in the final next Wednesday.
