Debate over Lionel Messi’s red card grows as Algeria lodges FIFA complaint
Algeria have formally appealed to FIFA over a series of refereeing decisions during their 3-0 defeat to Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The North African side believe Lionel Messi should have been sent off during the first half and question why several controversial incidents went unpunished.
The complaint follows Argentina’s victory in Kansas City, where Messi scored a hat-trick to boost the defending champions to three points. However, much of the post-match discussion focused on challenge regarding the Argentine captain and Algerian captain Aissa Mandi.
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According to Reuters, Algeria has written to the FIFA Referees Committee expressing concern about the refereeing team led by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak.
“The complaint is mainly about Messi’s challenge, which deserved a red card,” a source from the Algerian football federation told AFP.
“We are not saying that Argentina were not a better team, but we cannot remain silent when we feel that some incidents were handled unfairly.”
“There were three situations that we believe called for stronger action and VAR did not intervene in any of them.
Algeria’s concerns are not limited to Messi’s challenge. The federation also highlighted a second-half incident involving Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who allegedly elbowed Ibrahim Maza in an aerial attack.
DID MESSI DESERVE A RED CARD?
The incident involving Messi occurred midway through the first half when the striker appeared to grab Mandi’s calf with the back of his boot.
The Algerian players immediately asked for a red card, while fans in the stadium expressed their frustration as the game continued without disciplinary action. Neither the referees nor the VAR team decided to review the call further.
The debate quickly spilled over to social media, where fans and pundits were divided over whether the call warranted a dismissal.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos also referred to the incident when discussing the three-match suspension handed down to midfielder Thembu Zwane earlier in the tournament.
“When I see what happened to Messi, I don’t agree with what happened to my player,” said Broos.
“I don’t want Messi sent off because players of that quality should be on the pitch, but I’m trying to understand the difference between the two incidents.”
Messi completed his hat-trick and equaled Miroslav Klos’ record of 16 World Cup goals, ensuring the controversy remains part of the wider conversation surrounding Argentina’s victory.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ARGENTINA ON THE WORLD FAIRY TALK?
While Algeria await any response from FIFA, their immediate priority remains to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Defeat to Argentina leaves them under pressure heading into their remaining matches in Group J. Algeria face Jordan in San Francisco and face Austria in their final group stage match.
Meanwhile, Argentina continue their campaign against Austria in Dallas with momentum firmly on their side after a dominant opening performance.
It remains to be seen whether FIFA will decide to address the complaint publicly, but the incident has already become one of the tournament’s most controversial refereeing decisions to date.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
20 Jun 2026 06:59 IST