Algeria Protest Marciniak’s Officiating in World Cup Loss to Argentina

Algeria have formally filed a complaint with FIFA’s refereeing commission following their 3-0 defeat to Argentina at the World Cup, citing alleged poor officiating in key incidents involving Lionel Messi and Alexis Mac Allister.

The North African side highlighted a first-half clash in which Messi appeared to catch Algeria captain Aissa Mandi on the calf with a raised boot.

Supporters called for a red card, but the forward escaped punishment and went on to score a hat-trick.

Algeria also pointed to a second-half incident where Mac Allister allegedly elbowed Ibrahim Maza in the face. Referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, was close to the play but did not take action.

The complaint raises questions about Marciniak’s performance and that of his VAR team, led by Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

The Messi incident has already sparked a social media storm, with fans debating whether his star status influenced the decision.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos also referenced the controversy when criticizing the three-match suspension handed to his player Themba Zwane, arguing that Messi’s challenge was comparable but went unpunished.

Argentina will next face Austria in Dallas, while Algeria meet Jordan in San Francisco as the fallout from the appeal continues to reverberate.