Messi and Co in big bother after the Friday fracas
Argentina and the Netherlands face disciplinary action after being charged by FIFA following their fiery World Cup quarter-final clash.
The world governing body has confirmed proceedings have been opened against both sides after the last-eight contest – eventually won by Argentina on penalties featured several flashpoints and a plethora of bookings.
Spanish referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, issued 18 yellows cards at the Lusail Stadium, including two – therefore a red – for the Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries, and two for Argentinian coaching staff.
There were two major confrontations in the game, both coming late in the regulation 90 minutes as the Netherlands fought back from 2-0 down to force extra-time.
Players and technical staff from both sides were involved in the commotion.
A statement read: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 12 (misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (order and security at matches) of the FIFA disciplinary code during the Netherlands v Argentina FIFA World Cup match that took place on December 9.
“Additionally, the FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association, due to potential breaches of article 12 of the FIFA disciplinary code.”
After the controversial encounter, Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, told outgoing Netherlands coach, Louis van Gaal, to “keep his mouth shut” after saving two penalties.
“It was a tricky game,” said Martinez. “I thought we controlled the game really well. We went 2-0 up, basically we controlled the game.
“The ref was just giving everything for them. He gave 10 minutes stoppage time for no reason. He was giving free-kicks outside the box for them, like two, three times.
“He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So, hopefully we don’t have that ref anymore. He’s useless.”
Of the Netherlands boss, Martinez added: “I heard van Gaal saying: ‘We’ve got an advantage in penalties. If we go to penalties we win.’.
“I think he needs to keep his mouth shut.”
Messi, too, claimed Lahoz was not up to the task, saying “The equaliser came from a set-piece that I don’t think was a foul,” he said.
“But that is how the referee was during the game. I don’t want to speak about referees because you can be sanctioned.
“I don’t think he was up to the standard. He was very harmful for us.”