Algeria have lodged a complaint with FIFA over “refereeing injustice” in their opening World Cup loss to Argentina, particularly a tackle by Lionel Messi, an Algerian football federation source told AFP on Friday.
Messi caught Algeria defender Aissa Mandi on the calf with a studs-up challenge from behind in the 30th minute of Tuesday’s match, but was not booked.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who had already given reigning world champions Argentina the lead, went on to score a hat-trick.
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“The complaint primarily concerns Messi’s challenge, which deserved a red card, in everyone’s opinion,” said the federation source.
“There were also two elbow incidents … Both of which warranted dismissals.”
Algeria face Jordan in their second match on Monday, before completing their Group J campaign against Austria on Saturday, June 27.
“We are not saying that the Argentine team was not strong, but we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice,” the source added when asked why Algeria decided to file a complaint.
“There were three incidents that were crystal clear, and VAR did not intervene.”
Messi’s treble saw him tie former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
Algeria are hoping to reach the World Cup knockout phase for only the second time, following an extra-time loss to eventual winners Germany in the last 16 in 2014.
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‘FULL CIRCLE’ MOMENT FOR SUPERBOWL CHAMP’S SON
Alex Freeman said scoring a World Cup goal for the USA in Seattle where his father once scored two touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers was a “full circle family moment”.
Emulating his NFL wide receiver dad, Freeman was the first to the ball when Sergino Dest’s effort looped into the air, heading past Australia’s ‘keeper for the second goal in a 2-0 win.
Victory sends the United States into the knockout rounds of the World Cup they are co-hosting.
Right-back Freeman has played a vital role defensively too across two matches so far.
He follows in the footsteps of father Antonio, who most famously caught a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI win in 1997, but also grabbed two in a Packers win at Seattle the previous year.
“For me that is a full circle family moment. I think for me it just shows how great the family tree is,” said Freeman, after Friday’s win.
“I think that just shows how he can be great, but I can be great in my own way as well.
“And I think that just shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful and that could mentor me to be able to be ready for moments like this.”
One of the youngest members of the US squad at 21, Alex Freeman only made his senior international debut last year, selected by coach Mauricio Pochettino based on his Major League Soccer performances for Orlando City.
Arguably one of the less starry members of the US starting XI, he has nonetheless made the right-back position his own, fending off Timothy Weah and pushing Sergino Dest further up the field.
He also earned a move this year to Spanish club Villarreal.
“It’s hard for me to kind of take it all in, but I think it’s good also to kind of go through these challenges at such a fast pace at a young age,” said Freeman.
“I feel like for me it’s just going to make me an even better player to be able to kind of adjust the different atmospheres and be able to kind of adjust the different circumstances.” The popular Freeman was mobbed by his teammates including most of the bench after the goal, initially ruled off-side, was cleared by VAR.
“I was very anxious to see whether it was a goal or not. And then when it was a goal, I looked back and I saw my teammates running out there and thought ‘Oh Lord’ … it just made me very emotional.”
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MOROCCO ‘BEHIND’ CAPTAIN AS RAPE TRIAL CONFIRMED
Morocco’s preparations for their World Cup game against Scotland were overshadowed by confirmation from a French court that captain Achraf Hakimi would face trial for the alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman in the Paris region in 2023.
The decision was released just hours before the match.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who denies the charge, welcomed the news, writing on X that he had been “waiting for this trial since day one”.
“At last, I’ll be able to speak,” he said on Friday.
He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023.
Hakimi scored in the second minute of the 1-0 victory against Scotland in Foxborough. However, some fans in attendance booed Hakimi whenever he touched the ball.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi declared the team was “behind” Hakimi, adding that he was “very relaxed” about the rape case.
Asked about Hakimi’s situation, Ouahbi responded: “Did you see the game? I suppose you did. Hakimi was extraordinary so we’re very relaxed, he’s very relaxed and I believe he played really well.
“He did a good job, why talk about management? He woke up in the morning, ate like everybody, he was focused, he played with everybody, he wanted to play strongly and that’s what he did.
“We don’t have to say anything – we’re behind him, he’s very relaxed and hopefully he’s going to show he’s the best wingback in the world. I believe this is important for me, the players and the 44 million Moroccans who are following us.”