Algeria has formally lodged a complaint with FIFA’s Referees Committee after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, raising serious concerns over the performance of match officials.
According to media reports, Algeria’s complaint specifically refers to a first-half incident in which Argentina captain Lionel Messi allegedly stepped on the shin of Algeria captain Aïssa Mandi.
Algerian players and fans demanded action against Messi at the time, but the referee took no disciplinary measures.
Messi later went on to score a hat-trick and played a key role in Argentina’s victory.
After the match, several analysts also expressed surprise that Messi was not shown a red card for the incident.
Algeria also highlighted another incident involving Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who was accused of elbowing Ibrahim Maza in the face, yet no action was taken.
The controversy has sparked debate on social media, where many users have questioned whether Messi’s global stature may have influenced the referee’s decisions.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Hugo Broos also referred to the incident while objecting to the harsh punishment handed to one of his players.
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