The Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz had been one of the most criticized of the past Qatar 2022 World Cup for being the one who directed the match between Argentina and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, with several controversial decisions.
Now he has made news again for his participation in the 1-1 draw between FC Barcelona and Espanyol, where he ended up showing up to 17 yellow cards and two expulsions.
As if the warnings and expulsions were few, the main player also had an intervention in the VAR and sentenced a penalty in the 73rd minute that meant the tie after Joselu’s charge.
Lahoz’s ‘negative’ show began 20 minutes into the first half by admonishing Ansu Fati, thus beginning a period of yellow cards that also saw Gavi, Jordi Alba (he ended up being sent off), Ferrán Torres, Pedro, Raphinha and Arnau Tenas in the Barcelona.
In addition, Brian Oliván, Leandro Cabrera, Fernando Calera, Vinicius Souza (who ended up being sent off), Edu Expósito and Javi Puado received the yellow card at Espanyol.
In the same way, he ended up showing a direct red card to Cabrera himself for a stomp on the head against Lewandowski but he went to the VAR and reversed the decision.
The controversial and criticized performance is hardly the first after it was the negative figure of Argentina vs. Holland from Qatar 2022, a game where he drew 18 cards and became the referee with the most sanctions in the history of the World Cups.
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