Bruno Fernandes and Pepe face international ban for slamming referee after Portugal’s World Cup loss to Morocco
PORTUGAL stars Bruno Fernandes and Pepe are facing a ban for lambasting the referee after their country’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals by Morocco.
The Atlas Lions beat Cristiano Ronaldo and co 1-0 thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri’s winner at the Al Thumama Stadium and became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Porto star Pepe, though, lashed out during his post-match interview taking exception to the decision that led to Argentine referee Facundo Tello officiating the match.
The centre-back questioned Tello’s refereeing and didn’t agree with an Argentinean official being placed for this match after Lionel Messi and co made it to the semi-finals.
The 39-year-old suggested the refereeing was put together in a way that would benefit the Albiceleste’s World Cup hopes.
The Real Madrid legend even stated they “can already give Argentina the title”.
Pepe said: “It is inadmissible that an Argentine referee whistled at us today after what happened yesterday, with Messi complaining.
“After what I saw today, they can already give Argentina the title.”
Manchester United star Fernandes doubled down on Pepe’s explosive statement with one of his own.
The playmaker said: “I don’t know if they’re going to give the trophy to Argentina.
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“I don’t care, I’m going to say what I think and screw them. It’s very weird that a ref officiates us from a country still in the competition. Clearly they’ve tilted the field against us.”
This comes after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also blasted referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz following his country’s quarter-final triumph over the Netherlands.
Martinez described Lahoz as “crazy”, “arrogant” as well as “useless” and dubbed him the “worst referee at the World Cup”.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper is also facing a ban that could see him miss the next round.
Argentina will face Croatia in the semi-finals and will then meet the winner between Morocco and England or France if they make it to the final.
Portugal pose as the latest World Cup favourites the Moroccans eliminated from Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s men also beat and eliminated Belgium in the group stage with a 2-0 victory.
The Moroccans then offloaded Spain in the Last 16 by beating them on penalties after a goalless draw.
And now the Moroccans have knocked Portugal out and made Ronaldo break down in tears at full-time.