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Rabat – Football fans have taken to social media to criticize referee Cesar Ramos’ decisions during yesterday’s semi-final game between Morocco and France, saying that the referee was biased and favored Les Bleus and denied the Atlas Lions’ well-deserved penalties.
Morocco’s supporters contested the yellow card given to Sofiane Boufal when he and French defender Theo Hernandez collided during the first half of the match, arguing that the Moroccan player did not commit a foul and that his team should have been awarded a penalty.
Spanish former professional player Iker Casillas also questioned Ramos’ decision, as he took to Twitter with a photo showing the contact between Boufal and Hernandez inside France’s box. “This is worth discussing, was it a penalty yes or no?” he asked.
Esta jugada es digna de opinión. Si o no es penalti? ? pic.twitter.com/k02Zl223l6
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) December 15, 2022
Football experts Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand clashed during BBC’s live coverage of the Morocco-France game, as they disagreed on whether Morocco’s Boufal should have been awarded a penalty or not. Other football experts have suggested that a penalty should have been awarded to Morocco.
?️ Rio Ferdinand: “I think that’s a penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul. So why is that not a penalty? It definitely isn’t a booking for Boufal. It’s out of order.”#FRA | #MAR | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mGcxKFqhyH
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 14, 2022
In the midst of the controversy, Ramos was quick to respond as he took to Instagram saying: “My friends, the Moroccan people … Please be patient … If you are not satisfied with the match, you can file a collective objection via FIFA’s website and the match can be played again.”
Read also: Walid Regragui: ‘Despite Injuries, Fatigue…We Fought to The Bitter End’
In addition, Ramos assured Moroccan fans that there was no “injustice” surrounding his decision.
Hernandez lost control of the ball, brought down an opponent in the penalty area and it’s Boufal getting the yellow?
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) December 14, 2022
But supporters of the Moroccan national team were not satisfied with his statement, as they flooded the comment section with criticism describing the Mexican referee as “biased” and “unfair.”
“You’re the reason we lost,” said an Instagram user, while another commented: “You could’ve at least used the VAR, it was a semi final !!!.”
that’s closer to being a penalty than a foul from Morocco. terrible yellow
— Jesus (@Jmanriquez_21) December 14, 2022
Ghanian writer and sports journalist Owuraku Ampofo echoed the thoughts of Moroccan fans. He posted a photo of the collision between Boufal and Hernandez on Twitter, asking: “How is this a yellow card for Boufal???”
How is this a yellow card for Boufal??? pic.twitter.com/5JLXON72FH
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) December 14, 2022
In addition, some football fans argued that Morocco was robbed of another deserved penalty when Morocco’s Selim Amallah and France’s Aurelien Tchouameni collided in the 47th minute of the match.
2 penalties auraient du être sifflé.
Celle de Boufal et Amellah. Pourquoi la VAR n’a pas été consulté par l’arbitre ????#TeamMorocco pic.twitter.com/lVvqqniBtO— Dr. KA (@PerwazeSarah) December 14, 2022
The semi-finals game ended with France defeating the Moroccan side 2-0 and qualifying for the World Cup’s final. The European team is set to lock horns with Argentina on December 18.
Meanwhile, Morocco will play against Croatia on December 17 as part of the third-place play-off.
