France ref protest gathers speed as 200,000 call for World Cup replay

Argentina fans celebrate Lionel Messi goal in World Cup final

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Calls for the World Cup final to be replayed between Argentina and France due to the standard of refereeing have strengthened after it emerged a petition had collected nearly 200,000 signatures. The petition had been created in protest against referee Szymon Marciniak, who came under fire despite an impressive performance during the thrilling penalty shootout win for the Latin American nation.

It is understood that France fans were furious that a foul was not given on Kylian Mbappe in the build-up to the second goal, while there is an argument included that the penalty scored by Lionel Messi should not have been allowed to stand.

The petition description reads: “The referee was totally sold, there was never a penalty and a foul on MBAPPE on the 2nd goal!!! Sign and share en masse for the match to be replayed!”

At the time of writing, the petition – which was hosted on the Mes Opinions website – has just over 198,000 signatures demanding a replay of the final.

Marciniak and his VAR team of officials deemed that Mbappe had not been fouled in the build-up and play continued as Argentina took a two-goal lead through Messi’s penalty and Angeli Di Maria.

It was an enthralling encounter at Lusail Stadium that unfolded, with Messi bidding to win his first World Cup and also racing Mbappe for the Golden Boot.

But the PSG star, 24, fought back to show his individual class with a coolly-struck penalty and a sublime volley to force extra time. Messi then bundled home his second of the night before Mbappe again scored from the spot, showing that France had received their fair share of good fortune.

Still, that hasn’t stopped the French Football Federation (FFF) from submitting a complaint – although it is related to an entirely different matter after a row erupted between Mbappe and Emi Martinez.

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Mbappe’s spot-kick meant it went to penalties with Martinez and Hugo Lloris tasked with being the hero. And it was the former’s mind games that played a part as Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman fluffed their lines.

Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to fire home the all-important penalty and seal Argentina’s third World Cup and first triumph since 1986.

France fans and the media were left fuming with their performance and the referee too after Marciniak was deemed to have favoured Argentina. However, it seems like their petition is likely to fall on deaf ears.

This kind of request based on a subjective refereeing decision is almost never approved for a replay, so Argentina fans can rest easy with the knowledge the Jules Rimet trophy is theirs to keep.

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