Messi and Argentina subject of World Cup fix accusations

Lionel Messi trains for Argentina ahead of Netherlands clash

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As Lionel Messi and Argentina dazzle at the World Cup, some conspiracy theories have been put forward by players on the Portugal national team. Namely Bruno Fernandes and Pepe, who both believe the authorities want the South American giants to go all the way in Qatar this winter. Lionel Scaloni’s side will lock horns with Croatia in the semi-finals of the tournament on Tuesday night, where they’ll be hoping to continue their charge towards football’s ultimate prize.

Argentina were written off by many after losing their World Cup opener to Saudi Arabia.

However, since then, they’ve bounced back by beating the likes of Mexico, Poland, Australia and the Netherlands to make the last four of the competition.

Messi has been typically mesmeric, with the 35-year-old scoring four goals and clocking up two assists from five appearances so far.

But, amid Argentine’s resurgence, Portuguese players have started to voice concerns over the tournament being fixed – despite there being no evidence to suggest this.

Portugal were sent crashing out of the tournament by Morocco on Saturday, in a result nobody saw coming.

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And Pepe, speaking afterwards, cited concerns that FIFA’s decision to appoint an Argentinean referee was a deliberate ploy to help Messi and his team-mates win the competition.

“It’s unacceptable for an Argentine referee to referee our game,” ranted the 39-year-old.

“After what happened yesterday, with Messi talking, all of Argentina was talking and the referee comes here to blow the whistle.

“I’m not saying that he comes here conditioned…but what did we play the second half? We weren’t allowed to play the second half.

“I can bet that Argentina will be champions.”

And Bruno Fernandes, never one to shy away from voicing his opinion, said: “We already know how it works … before the game we already knew what we were in for, and what kind of referee we would find.

“I don’t know if they’re going to give the trophy to Argentina. 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.

“Unfortunately, in these competitions, where there are no Portuguese referees, there are referees from teams that are still in the competition.”

Portugal were poor in their World Cup clash with Morocco.

But they were clearly irked by some of the decision-making that went on during the showdown, despite looking flat throughout the match.

Messi, meanwhile, cut an angry figure after Argentina battled their way past the Netherlands on Friday night – telling Louis van Gaal to silence himself in a bold interview.

“I feel disrespected by Van Gaal after his pregame comments and some Dutch players spoke too much during the game,” he said.

“I heard Van Gaal saying that in a penalty shoot-out they had the advantage, or if we went to penalties then they would win – I think he needs to keep his mouth shut.”

And when asked about the refereeing at the tournament, he said: “I don’t want to talk about the referee because they sanction you for being honest.

“I think people saw what it was. FIFA cannot use this kind of referee for this type of match.”

Argentina last locked horns with Croatia at the World Cup in Russia four years ago.

They lost 3-0 to Tuesday’s opponents, with Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic all on target.

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