England have been warned that they must be at their very best to subdue Argentina, not because the defending champions are too superior to other teams at the ongoing World Cup in North America. The “ludicrous” reason is that referees have allegedly taken over the task of helping Lionel Messi and his compatriots to successfully hold on to football’s biggest crown for another four years.

After Argentina’s defeat of Switzerland in the quarterfinal of the World Cup Sunday morning, major anger grew among Switzerland’s fans and other followers of the game who felt that Argentina were getting favours from the referees.

According to metro.co.uk, Switzerland’s players and manager were incensed with Argentina’s triumph, 3-1 in extra-time, after their striker Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off as a result of a new rule for mistaken identity.

With the quarter-final level on 72 minutes, Embolo was shown a second yellow card after a video assistant referee review, which led to him being adjudged to have dived – rather than being fouled by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. A new rule introduced for this World Cup states that if a player is booked or sent off – but the foul was actually committed by the opposition – the decision can be changed.

Switzerland’s response was emphatic. Defender Manuel Akanji said: “Every little thing was called against us, and ‘I’ve never experienced such a one-sided game.” Manager Murat Yakin called the refereeing “incomprehensible.”

Their comments will only add to the outlandish World Cup “fixing” conspiracy theories, which suggest Messi and Co are being favoured by FIFA to knock out England and lift the trophy in New Jersey next Sunday.

The first complaint against referees and Argentina came from Algeria early in the championship.
Algerian Football Federation (FAF) officially filed a complaint with FIFA over “refereeing injustice” following their 3-

0 opening defeat to Argentina in the group stage of the competition.

In the 32nd minute, Lionel Messi caught Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi on the calf and Achilles with a studs-up challenge

from behind. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak did not book Messi or issue a red card, which prompted heavy criticism as many analysts and fans argued it was a straight red card offence.

Algeria was also frustrated by an unpunished incident later in the game where Alexis Mac Allister allegedly caught Ibrahim Maza with an elbow in the penalty box.

Algeria’s governing body sent a formal letter to FIFA’s refereeing commission to review the officiating and the lack of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention during these key moments. While Algeria acknowledged Argentina’s strength in the match, the federation stated that they “cannot remain silent in the face of injustice.” Ultimately, Messi went on to score a hat-trick in the 3-0 victory.

Egypt, who lost to Argentina in the round of 16, have already called for a FIFA investigation over the manner of their exit. Their winger Mostafa Ziko said: “This tournament has been fixed,” while coach Hossam Hassan said: “This match was rigged, and the whole world saw it.”

FIFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina responded, stating that “nobody can question the integrity” of the refereeing and “unfounded allegations have no place in our sport.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino then said: “Tonight, I suffered with Argentina…but I’m neutral.” His comments fueled the online feeling about Messi and his team-mates being handed a path to the final.

And now Switzerland are furious too. Portuguese official Joao Pinheiro was the man in the middle on Sunday morning, while the VAR was Guillermo Pacheco of Mexico.

Inter Milan star Akanji, formerly of Manchester City, said: “When you have the referee against you, it becomes difficult. Every little thing was called against us. Every dive and every foul by the Argentinians went unpunished. I don’t usually say anything against the officials, but I’ve never experienced such a one-sided game as today.”

To add to the fear that FIFA is out to favour Argentina today, the body’s referees committee has appointed Morocco-born American referee Ismail Elfath, described as Messi’s favourite referee, to handle the game against the Three Lions.

Elfath has officiated some big matches in which Messi was involved. He was the fourth official in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, where Messi scored twice on the way to his team winning the title.

He also officiated when Messi’s Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup. In this match too, Messi scored his team’s only goal in a match where his team won in a penalty shootout over Nashville SC.

In Major League Soccer, Elfath has officiated four matches in which Messi played – his team won all of them.
In three matches so far at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Elfath has given eight yellow cards and one red card – Netherlands 2-2 Japan, Spain 1-0 Uruguay and Norway 2-1 Brazil.

After the Spain-Uruguay game, the 44-year-old was targeted by the Spanish media for not being firm enough with the Uruguayans.