Pepe alluded to the Argentinian referee deliberately knocking out Portugal
"It is true that we conceded an unexpected goal, but I have to say this: for an Argentinian referee to start our game is unacceptable," Pepe said after the loss on 10. /twelfth.
In the semi-final a day earlier, Argentina experienced 120 minutes of tension and only overcame the Netherlands by penalty shootout. Up to 18 yellow cards were issued to punish players from both sides, including two for head coach Lionel Scaloni and assistant Walter Samuel of Argentina. After this match, Argentina captain Lionel Messi provoked coach Van Gaal and a Dutch player and publicly criticized the referee.
Pepe said that in that context, it is not advisable to let Argentinian referee Facundo Tello control the match of Portugal - a championship candidate. And many of the controversial decisions of this ruler when Portugal lost 0-1 to Morocco made Pepe even more frustrated.
"After what happened yesterday, what Messi said, the Argentinians said, an Argentinian referee came to take our game. And with what I saw today, I think they can award it. Always win the championship for Argentina from now on," the Portuguese midfielder continued.
At Al Thumama, Portugal let Morroco concede in the 42nd minute, when Diego Costa hit the ball and missed the ball, creating an opportunity for En-Nesyri to open the scoring. In the second minute of injury time of the first half, Bruno Fernandes broke through, fell after the impact of Achraf Hakimi, but the referee did not blow 11m. And despite the Portuguese player's backlash, Mr. Tello resolutely waved his hand. The VAR team, with two Argentine members, also did not consider this ball.
"I don't see any movement that they are considering giving a penalty to Bruno Fernandes. It must have been a penalty, because the collision was obvious. There were five Argentinian referees in this game. What else can I say? okay. I bet Argentina will win. Let's wait and see which team wins," added Pepe.
In addition to the main referee and two assistants, the head referee of the VAR room is also Argentinian, Mr. Mauro Vigliano.
"Everyone, let's see if the referees want to let us kick the ball in the second half? Morroco goalkeeper kept lying on the field, but there was only 8 minutes of compensation", Pepe continued to blame. "The second half also seemed to be only Portugal playing the ball. While the opponent was always ready to interrupt with fouls, the referees did not warn or warn them."
Teammate Bruno Fernandes also shared Pepe's views. The midfielder said: "It's strange that there is still a referee from the country whose team is competing for the championship in this round, and we don't have a Portuguese referee."
Fernandes also implicitly criticized the quality of the Argentinian referee team who caught the Portuguese match. He said that today's referees "didn't catch in the Champions League, so they don't have the experience and sensitivity to keep up and handle situations in a big game".
"In the first half, I should have been awarded a very clear penalty. I was surrounded, and in my life as a player, I have never let myself fall in the face of a goalkeeper, if not violated. error, I could have hit the goal in that situation," added Fernandes.
