World Cup final referee savages France over Lionel Messi ‘illegal goal’ accusation | Football | Sport

World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak has issued the perfect response to allegations within the French media that he should not have allowed Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal to stand as there were more than 11 Argentina players on the pitch. The defiant Pole, who was outstanding on the biggest stage of all, has now pointed out that seven Les Bleus subs were also on the field when Kylian Mbappe found the net during the pulsating spectacle.

World Cup final official Szymon Marciniak has been scrutinised in the French media for allowing Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal to stand as there were more than 11 Argentina players on the pitch.

World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak has issued the perfect response to allegations within the French media that he should not have allowed Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal to stand as there were more than 11 Argentina players on the pitch. The defiant Pole, who was outstanding on the biggest stage of all, has now pointed out that seven Les Bleus subs were also on the field when Kylian Mbappe found the net during the pulsating spectacle.

By L’Equipe’s logic, Marciniak pointed out that Mbappe’s goal should have also been chalked off.

Speaking during a press conference, Marciniak pulled out his phone to show a screenshot to support his claim, stating: “The French didn’t mention this photo, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the pitch when Mbappe scores a goal.”

The laws of the game suggest both goals should have been chalked off, they read: “The referee must disallow the goal if the extra person was: a player, substitute, substituted player, sent-off player or team official of the team that scored the goal.”

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“He always comes to the game to say hello from his grandma, he remembers those Polish roots.

“Now we also talked to him, after the game he threw himself on our necks.

“The French also thanked them. I had a few words with Hugo Loris, high-fived with Olivier Giroud. He got a yellow card but he had no complaints, he said it was a difficult match.

“I told the sad Mbappe that he is a great player and that he will win more than one cup. He leaned against me, it was emotion. I don’t even want to think about what he had in mind at the time.”

Argentina received five bookings during the World Cup final, while France earned three cautions.

Unlike some of the other knockout matches in Qatar – namely Argentina vs Holland and France vs England – Marciniak remained in control from the get-go.

He was quick to award an Argentina penalty when Angel Di Maria was tripped by Ousmane Dembele.

France also received two spot-kicks of their own when Marcus Thuram was fouled by Nicolas Otamendi, Gonzalo Montiel was also penalised for handball in the second half of extra-time.

Crucially, Marciniak also spotted a dive from Thuram when he attempted to win France a penalty. He was booked for simulation by the eagle-eyed referee.