Sporstar logo
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Asian Games
  • Asia Cup 2023
  • World Cup Schedule 2023
  • US OPEN 2023
  • Columns
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Asian Games
  • Asia Cup 2023
  • World Cup Schedule 2023
  • US OPEN 2023
  • Columns
MagazineBuy Print
LoginAccountSubscribe

PREMIUM

  • Magazine
  • Posters
  • Columns
  • Special Editions
  • Star Life
  • Statsman

PLAYGROUNDS

  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Kabaddi
  • Archery
  • Tennis
  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Chess
  • Hockey
  • Golf
  • Motorsport
  • Shooting
  • Volleyball
  • Squash
  • Table Tennis
  • Swimming
  • Wrestling
  • Badminton
  • Boxing
  • Cue Sport
  • MMA
  • ESPORTS

MULTIMEDIA

  • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Podcast
  • Sportoon

ON STAGE

  • ACES Awards
  • Sportstar Conclave

PREMIUM

  • Magazine
  • Posters
  • Columns
  • Special Editions
  • Star Life
  • Statsman

PLAYGROUNDS

  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Kabaddi
  • Archery
  • Tennis
  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Chess
  • Hockey
  • Golf
  • Motorsport
  • Shooting
  • Volleyball
  • Squash
  • Table Tennis
  • Swimming
  • Wrestling
  • Badminton
  • Boxing
  • Cue Sport
  • MMA
  • ESPORTS

MULTIMEDIA

  • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Podcast
  • Sportoon

ON STAGE

  • ACES Awards
  • Sportstar Conclave
Latest issue of Sportstar

Subscribers Only Have you subscribed yet?

Buy Print

  • CONNECT WITH US
  • Get sportstar app on
  • Google Playstore
  1. Home
  2. Football
  3. Fifa World Cup
  4. News

FIFA World Cup 2022: From Messi upset with referee to Ronaldo goal disallowed, top controversies in Qatar

The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup has not been free of controversies over 62 matches played so far in the tournament, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both involved in them.

Published : Dec 17, 2022 11:00 IST

Team Sportstar

Comments

follow iconFollow Us

SHARE

  • Copy link
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Telegram
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit

READ LATER

SEE ALL Remove
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both playing their last FIFA World Cups, have found themselves in controversies during the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both playing their last FIFA World Cups, have found themselves in controversies during the tournament. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
infoIcon

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both playing their last FIFA World Cups, have found themselves in controversies during the tournament. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The FIFA World Cup has historically had controversies in every edition of its 92-year-old history - be it Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ or England’s goal disallowed in 2010, in South Africa.

The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup has also not been free of controversies over 62 matches played so far in the tournament, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both involved in them.

Here are five controversies from the 2022 World Cup:

In or out? Japan’s Ao Tanaka scores the winner against Spain

Japan’s Ao Tanaka scored in the 51st minute against Spain to give the lead to the Blue Samurais in the Group E game.

The goal underwent a lengthy VAR check but stood as the referees found the ball to not have crossed the touchline.

The ball was delivered from the right side of the field and Kaoru Mitoma got behind it. The ball, however, seemed to have crossed the touchline, and gone out of play, before the Japan player stopped it.

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for Ao Tanaka for a goal against Spain.
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for Ao Tanaka for a goal against Spain. | Photo Credit: AP
lightbox-info

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for Ao Tanaka for a goal against Spain. | Photo Credit: AP

A VAR check which followed ruled that the ball had been stopped before it entirely crossed the line.

The decision put the Asian team in the lead and finally led to it beating the 2010 World Champion 2-1.

ALSO READ
Why did VAR allow Ao Tanaka goal for Japan vs Spain? The controversy that eliminated Germany explained

“I have seen a photo that must have been tampered with. It cannot be that this photo is real. It has to be manipulated,” Spain manager Luis Enrique later said.

“I felt that something fishy was going on when the VAR took as much time as it did to decide… I have nothing to say.”

After analysis, Sportstar explained that the ball, indeed, had not crossed the line and that the goal was legit.

Messi and Argentina upset over referee Lahoz in ‘Battle of Lahoz’

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was involved in one of the most high-profile controversies of the tournament, where he remonstrated against the referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

“I don’t want to talk about referees because then they will sanction you,” Messi said during the post-match interview with the organiser, “But we were scared before the game because we knew what was coming [with Mateu Lahoz]. They cannot put a referee like that on this game when he is not up to the level,” he added.

Referee Antonio Mateu shows a yellow card to Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium.
Referee Antonio Mateu shows a yellow card to Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
lightbox-info

Referee Antonio Mateu shows a yellow card to Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The quarterfinal clash, which Lahoz officiated at the Lusail Stadium, saw a total of 19 bookings, breaking the record of the Portugal vs Netherlands round of 16 match in the 2006 World Cup, popularly known as the ‘Battle of Nuremberg.’

ALSO READ
FIFA World Cup 2022 referee Antonio Lahoz sent home, who Messi had said was ‘not up to the mark’

FIFA started disciplinary proceedings against the Argentina Football Federation after Messi’s remarks.

“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 vs Argentina FIFA World Cup match,” it said in a statement.

The referee, Lahoz, however, was reportedly sent home after the incident.

No goal for Ronaldo?

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a goal in the 54th minute against Uruguay in the group-stage match, but the goal was subsequently credited to teammate Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno crossed the ball from the left side of the pitch and Ronaldo jumped the highest as the ball went into the goal. Replays later showed that Ronaldo had just missed connecting with the ball.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have headed the ball into the net, which after review, was credited to Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have headed the ball into the net, which after review, was credited to Bruno Fernandes. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
lightbox-info

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have headed the ball into the net, which after review, was credited to Bruno Fernandes. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The goal would have levelled the former Real Madrid with Eusebio as Portugal’s highest goal-scorer at World Cups and surpassed Messi in the race to more World Cup goals.

ALSO READ
Ronaldo had no contact, it’s Bruno Fernandes’ goal, Adidas confirms

While the 37-year celebrated, thinking the ball had brushed his hair to enter the net, the goal, later confirmed by football manufacturer Adidas, saw Bruno’s hit finding the net and giving Ronaldo’s claim an infamous phrase ‘the hair of god’.

One more chance please! South Korea denied final corner kick against Ghana

The final round of Group H matches saw Ghana and South Korea play an extremely tight match, at the Education City Stadium in Qatar.

While the Black Stars, following goals from Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus, went into half-time with a comfortable 2-0 lead, it was Cho Gue-Sung’s brace that made it all square just over the hour-mark.

Ghana, however, found another goal from Kudus, who steered the ball into the net from a pass by Inaki Wiliams.

South Korea, looking for an equaliser, kept throwing bodies into the final third, with captain Son Hueng-Min putting in a couple of good long balls.

In the last minute of added time on top of second-half injury time, Korea got a corner kick after its long ranger was deflected out of play by Ghana. But the referee, Anthony Taylor, blew the full-time whistle.

South Korea coach Paulo Bento is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor after protesting aggressively for blowing the full-time whistle.
South Korea coach Paulo Bento is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor after protesting aggressively for blowing the full-time whistle. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
lightbox-info

South Korea coach Paulo Bento is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor after protesting aggressively for blowing the full-time whistle. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

It was then that the Korean coach Paulo Bento lost his cool, and protested vehemently in front of Taylor for denying one last chance to his team – one that saw Bento being sent off.

RELATED WORLD CUP STORIES

  • Check out Sportstar’s coverage of World Cup in Qatar
  • Scan the World Cup in pictures
  • Football fans, put your skills to the test with FIFA World Cup Quiz
  • Soak in the rich history of the football World Cup
  • WATCH: What’s happening in Qatar and who is saying what
  • Here are some of the most frequently asked questions

Griezmann’s goal disallowed vs Tunisia

Antoine Griezmann scored in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time in France’s game against Tunisia on Wednesday but the goal was ruled offside.

Griezmann’s goal was ruled out as the French forward was standing in an offside position before the free kick was delivered into the Tunisia penalty area.

His presence was deemed to have interfered with the Tunisia defender’s action. The defender was interpreted to have tracked back to cover Griezmann, which ultimately helped the Atletico Madrid player convert the chance.

Referee Matthew Conger signals to France’s Antoine Griezmann that his goal is disallowed during the World Cup group D match between Tunisia and France at the Education City Stadium.
Referee Matthew Conger signals to France’s Antoine Griezmann that his goal is disallowed during the World Cup group D match between Tunisia and France at the Education City Stadium. | Photo Credit: AP
lightbox-info

Referee Matthew Conger signals to France’s Antoine Griezmann that his goal is disallowed during the World Cup group D match between Tunisia and France at the Education City Stadium. | Photo Credit: AP

While the referee gave the goal, he was asked to double-check the action on the VAR screen. After a review, the referee, Matthew Conger, overturned his decision to disallow France’s equaliser.

Les Blues filed the complaint against the decision, only to see FIFA reject their appeal.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dismissed the protest submitted by the French Football Association in relation to the Tunisia v. France FIFA World Cup match played on 30 November,” FIFA said in a statement.

Comments

Related Topics

Lionel Messi /

Cristiano Ronaldo /

Qatar 2022 /

France /

Argentina /

Portugal /

FIFA World Cup 2022 /

Qatar World Cup

Latest on Sportstar

  1. FIFA Women’s World Cup: Breakout stars of WWC 2023
    Team Sportstar
  2. Women’s World Cup 2023: Which WWC stars find a place in the team of the tournament?
    Team Sportstar
  3. BWF Badminton World Championships 2023, Day Two: Indians in action, IST Timings, streaming info
    Team Sportstar
  4. World Athletics Championships 2023: Grant Holloway wins third straight gold medal in 110m hurdles
    Reuters
  5. Video - World Athletics Championships 2023: Daniel Stahl wins discus gold with championship record throw on final attempt
    Reuters
READ MORE STORIES
Latest issue of Sportstar

Asian Champions Trophy hockey 2023 review: Concerns remain, but Fulton’s vision is taking shape

Uthra Ganesan
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey is optimistic about the men’s team’s future under new head coach Craig Fulton.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey: World wants to see India vs Pakistan contests; still a charm to it 

Aashin Prasad
+ SEE all Stories

More on News

  1. Messi regrets controversy against Dutch at the FIFA World Cup
    AP
  2. FIFA World Cup trailblazing female referee verbally abused; Rwanda football issues probe
    AFP
  3. Argentine corn field planted with face of World Cup winner Messi
    Reuters
  4. Tunisia coach stays on despite missing World Cup target
    Reuters
  5. Mbappe: Will ‘never’ get over World Cup heartbreak
    AFP
READ MORE STORIES

Latest on Sportstar

  1. FIFA Women’s World Cup: Breakout stars of WWC 2023
    Team Sportstar
  2. Women’s World Cup 2023: Which WWC stars find a place in the team of the tournament?
    Team Sportstar
  3. BWF Badminton World Championships 2023, Day Two: Indians in action, IST Timings, streaming info
    Team Sportstar
  4. World Athletics Championships 2023: Grant Holloway wins third straight gold medal in 110m hurdles
    Reuters
  5. Video - World Athletics Championships 2023: Daniel Stahl wins discus gold with championship record throw on final attempt
    Reuters
READ MORE STORIES
Sporstar logo
playstore
  • Sportstar

    • About us
    • Archives
    • News Archive
    • Sitemap
    • Print Subscription
    • Digital Subscription
    • Student Access
    • Corporate/Enterprise Access
    • Rss Feeds
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
  • Group News Sites

    • The Hindu
    • Business LIne
    • Frontline
    • இந்து தமிழ் திசை
    • The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy
    • Young World Club
    • The Hindu E-Paper
    • BusinessLine E-Paper
    • Crossword+ "Free Games"
    • The Hindu Coupons
  • Other Products

    • RoofandFloor
    • STEP
    • Images
    • Classifieds
    • Special Publications
  • Popular Sections

    • IPL 2023
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • WTC
    • F1
    • Basketball

Trending on Sportstar

  • Ronaldo ‘wants more’ with Portugal after record-breaking 850th career goal arrow
  • US Open 2023: Climate change activists interrupt Gauff vs Muchova semifinal arrow
  • Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule: Full list of matches, teams, final date, venues, game timings arrow
  • India vs Iraq, King’s Cup 2023, Live Streaming Info: When and where to watch the semifinal; Schedule and Squad info arrow
  • Tata Steel Chess India: Gukesh among early leaders, Praggnanandhaa loses to Keymar arrow

Trending on our Group sites

  • India, Bharat and a host of implications arrow
  • ‘Jawan’ movie review: Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular in Atlee’s socially-charged thriller arrow
  • Meira Paibis: How Manipur’s peace-keepers became agents provocateur arrow
  • For Saudi Arabia, sport is the new oil arrow
  • Chandrayaan-3 findings show moon is habitable arrow
  • Telegram
  • Spotify
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright© 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

BACK TO TOParrow

The Hindu
Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment