MLS referee appointed for England v Argentina

The semi-final between England and Argentina will be officiated by MLS referee Ismael Elfath.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami, they have a 100% win record under him and also won the Leagues Cup final.

Corrupt FIFA once again doing all they can to make sure Messi wins the World Cup.

Imagine being a grown adult and genuinely believing that a competition as big as the world could be rigged just for one player.

Some questionable decisions in plenty of games throughout the tournament involving numerous countries. The whole officiating has been inconsistent from the on pitch referees to the shambles up in VAR.

Imagine being a grown adult and genuinely believing that a competition as big as the world could be rigged just for one player.

Some questionable decisions in plenty of games throughout the tournament involving numerous countries. The whole officiating has been inconsistent from the on pitch referees to the shambles up in VAR.

I copied all that from X.

But it must be said that Argentina do seem to get better decisions than most.

Hope England thrash them.

Each to their own, I hope Messi rolls back the years and puts them out fair and square.

Is there a referee from any country that would be acceptable to England fans or are they all bent? There couldn't really be a ref from either S. America or Europe so that narrows it down a lot.

Why all this cringeworthy screaming bias for ingerland from Cardiff fans CMON MESSI and cmon Argentina 4-0 please messi hatrick

Why all this cringeworthy screaming bias for ingerland from Cardiff fans CMON MESSI and cmon Argentina 4-0 please messi hatrick

Because it's Argentina & we as British people have had a beef with them for a long time but maybe you weren't around in 1982.

I don't see any "cringeworthy screaming bias" though, that's all in your head.

Why all this cringeworthy screaming bias for ingerland from Cardiff fans CMON MESSI and cmon Argentina 4-0 please messi hatrick

What's more cringeworthy is people cheering for anyone England plays, when we didn't even qualify.

I want England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to always do well. I'm allowed to want that without someone like you telling me what I should think.

Come on England, come on Bellingham, 4-0 please.

Why all this cringeworthy screaming bias for ingerland from Cardiff fans CMON MESSI and cmon Argentina 4-0 please messi hatrick

Because it's Argentina & we as British people have had a beef with them for a long time but maybe you weren't around in 1982.

I don't see any "cringeworthy screaming bias" though, that's all in your head.

Yeh I was around then pal as it happens giving out history lessons are you well here’s one for you the English have done more harm to the Welsh people over the centuries than the Argentine people have ever done FACT

Growing up watching the city it always been us against everyone. Us against the English every week. We're sheepshaggers, don't deserve to be in their pyramid bla bla bla. After a while it sort of gets embedded into you to stick two fingers up.

Never mind the media, the rubbing it in our faces every week. Unbearable.

Just like the jacks are our rivals so are the English. I weren't shouting for the Jack's in Europe years ago I won't be doing the same for England. Cmon the argies

Elfath, who was born in Morocco but grew up in the US, was on the sidelines as Argentina and France slugged it out in what is considered one of the best finals ever.

Argentina went on to win 4-2 on penalties after it finished 3-3 – with Messi scoring twice and lifting the greatest prize of all.
But Elfath also knows Messi well from his time with Inter Miami having refereed him four times – with Messi winning every game.

The startling record comes after supporters raised fears that Argentina have had preferential treatment throught the tournament.

All eyes will be on the officials on Wednesday after claims that the tournament was being “rigged” to make sure the reigning champions made it through to the final.

Alongside Elfath will be US assistants Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins.

They are set to be joined by Italian officials Maurizio Mariani (fourth official) and Daniele Bindoni (reserve assistant referee).

The increased scrutiny comes after Argentina somehow came back to beat Egypt 3-2 in their last-16 clash in dubious circumstances.

The fact people link a footy game by over paid prima donnas to a war where good men lost their lives on both sides and those who survived meet regular from both sides is pretty poor. Its a game of footy that the media stoke the hate with.

Football players signing songs about the "Malvinas" when they are rolling around screaming after a bit of wind catches them. They weren't even born nor are they in a position to chant their ridiculous songs along with MPs stoking the flames sickens me.

Good men lost their lives including Welsh men yet we have people wanting Argentina to win... May the best team win on the night simple as that.

Hopefully i will be responding to all the englishmen who sing sheep sh.ggers home and away at us, with England F.cked it up.

Happy for England to win tonight. f**k the Arggies.

Just a long as the Spanish give them a kicking in the final.

60 more years of hurt

Overall, I thought the referee had a decent game; and he didn’t fall for the Argentina pedantic claim for a red card when Kane spoke to him via his hand because it was the only way he could be heard (by the referee, who would therefore know what he said)

Overall, I thought the referee had a decent game; and he didn’t fall for the Argentina pedantic claim for a red card when Kane spoke to him via his hand because it was the only way he could be heard (by the referee, who would therefore know what he said)

Agree. England have got themselves to blame - referee did pretty well in a tough match to officiate.