World Cup 2026: Algeria Complain to FIFA About Argentina Match Referee
Algeria submitted a formal letter to FIFA after their 3-0 loss to Argentina. The complaint questions Marciniak and VAR chief Tomasz Kwiatkowski over unpunished fouls.
Algeria protest Messi & Mac Allister incidents after World Cup defeat. Algeria lodge official appeal to FIFA over Marciniak’s officiating...
Algeria have submitted a formal complaint over the refereeing in their 3-0 World Cup loss to Argentina this week, a source close to the matter said on Friday.
In a letter to FIFA’s refereeing commission, Algeria highlighted a first-half incident where Lionel Messi appeared to step on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi’s calf.
Algeria fans were furious when Messi caught Mandi from behind with a high boot on the calf. They called for a red card, but the forward escaped punishment and later netted a hat-trick.
Algeria’s complaint also points to a second-half incident in the Group J match in Kansas City. They claim Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister elbowed Ibrahim Maza in the face, yet referee Szymon Marciniak let it go.
Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, was less than a meter away when Mac Allister seemed to body-check Maza with a raised elbow.
Scrutiny on Marciniak and VAR After Algeria Complaint
Algeria’s protest has put Marciniak’s officiating and the work of his VAR crew, headed by fellow Pole Tomasz Kwiatkowski, under the spotlight.
The Messi challenge sparked a backlash online, with supporters arguing whether his reputation influenced the decision not to punish him.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos even brought it up Wednesday when asked about Themba Zwane’s ban being increased to three World Cup games following a red card vs Mexico in the opener.
“When I see what happened with Messi, I don't agree, certainly not, with what happened to my player. When you see the situation, the Mexican player blocked my player, and Themba tried to get over him, and he put his arm over his shoulder. That's all he does,” said Broos.
“And you get a red card for that and then a three-game suspension? Sorry, but this is much, much, much too severe. I don't want that Messi gets a red card, because a player of that quality has to be on the pitch as you saw (against Algeria), but what was the difference between that and Zwane?” the coach asked.
Argentina take on Austria in Dallas on Monday, while Algeria face Jordan in San Francisco.
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