BIG STORY

Qatar 2022: Referee Sent Home Over Poor Performance At Argentina Vs Netherland Match

Published

2 years ago

December 13, 2022

FIFA have come to a decision on the future of Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz following his head-scratching performance as Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz will not oversee any more World Cup matches after feeling the wrath of Argentina star Lionel Messi.

The Spaniard was put in charge for the South American’s quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands last week. Despite Argentina running out victorious on penalties, there were huge complaints sent the way of the official.

In what was a bad-tempered clash, Lahoz issued an eye-watering 17 yellow cards with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries also receiving his marching orders despite the game having already finished. Meanwhile, two-goal hero Wout Weghorst was also issued with a booking even before he took to the pitch.

Messi, the scorer of Argentina’s second goal in the game, aired his complaints about the official’s performance. He told TyC Sports “This match shouldn’t have ended as it did.

“I don’t want to talk about the referee because they sanction you. But people saw what happened. We were afraid before the match because we knew how he was and I think FIFA has to review this. You can’t put a referee like him for these matches.”

Meanwhile, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez ruthlessly criticised Lahoz for his performance. He said: “The ref gave everything to them [Netherlands]. It all turned upside down.

“He gave 10 minutes extra time for no reason. He just wanted them to score. That referee is crazy. Arrogant. You say something to him and he talks back to you. It’s crazy.

“Because Spain were eliminated, he wanted to eliminate us. He is the worst referee at the World Cup. Hopefully we won’t have him again – he’s useless.”

Now, it has emerged that Lahoz’s display has spelt the end of his World Cup campaign .The 45-year-old will not oversee any more matches at the tournament and is expected to return home to Spain.

Lahoz is not the only official to have been questioned for his performances at the World Cup over the last month. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio was the target of severe criticism for his showing during England’s quarter-final defeat to France.

Numerous members of the Three Lions’ squad slammed him during their post-match interviews, whilst former Manchester United defender Gary Neville branded him as an “absolute joke”.

Speaking to ITV, he said: “The referee had a nightmare game, an absolute joke of a referee. I’m not saying that was all down to England’s defeat because that’s making excuses. He was just a bad referee, rank bad.”

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty In Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

Published

26 mins ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud.

Bello was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The former Kogi governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC in April 2024.

More to come…

Post Views: 22

BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Arrives FCT High Court For Trial

Published

1 hour ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, has arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is expected to be arraigned over an alleged fraud amounting to N110 billion.

The ex-governor was arrested by EFCC operatives on November 26.

In April, the commission declared Bello wanted after multiple attempts to arrest him were unsuccessful.

In September, Bello responded to the EFCC’s invitation, accompanied by Usman Ododo, the current Kogi governor.

Bello and Ododo were at the EFCC’s Abuja office car park, but Bello was not taken in on that day.

On August 20, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.

Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, later alleged that Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi’s coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance.

The anti-graft agency also filed a 19-count charge against Bello over alleged money laundering.

However, the arraignment had been delayed due to the former governor’s absence.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Again, Police Arrest Speed Darlington During Show In Imo State

Published

2 hours ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested Nigerian musician Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

The singer’s counsel and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the arrest in a post on his official X page on Wednesday.

Adeyanju revealed that his client was detained while performing at a show in Owerri, just days after returning to Nigeria earlier in the week.

He wrote, “Our client, Speed Darlington, a.k.a AKPI, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police in Owerri at his show upon return to Nigeria.”

However, the exact reason for the singer’s arrest remains unclear at the time of filing this report.

It is worth noting that the Nigeria Police had previously arrested Darlington over allegations of cyberstalking fellow musician Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy.

Darlington was initially arrested in Lagos, then transferred to Abuja, where he was detained by the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team in the Guzape area of the city.

The musician, who faced accusations of cyberstalking Burna Boy, was later released on bail days after his arrest.

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