Updated 00.55 | Published 00.50
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The Messi hysteria in the USA knows no bounds.
Two hours before kick-off, the referee had to be replaced – because he has posed in Messi’s team’s shirt on Facebook.
– Conflict of interest, announced the referee organization PRO.
It was the 40-year-old Brazilian Guilherme Ceretta who was to administer justice in Saturday’s MLS match between Inter Miami and Orlando City.
And he had probably been looking forward to that.
Because based on pictures that Ceretta himself posted on Facebook at the end of January, he seems to be a big fan of Leo Messi.
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Had to be replaced
This was discovered by The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) who, less than two hours before kick-off, were forced to intervene and remove Ceretta from the job.
“Judge Guilherme Ceretta has been replaced due to a potential conflict of interest,” a statement said The Athletic.
Intended fourth umpire Jamie Herrera substituted.
Stor show
Once the match started, it was, unsurprisingly, Leo Messi and Luis Suárez who stole the show.
The world stars who form the attacking trio with Finn and former AIK player Robert Taylor (!) scored two goals each.
Taylor scored one and Inter Miami won 5–0.
In the opposing team, another former AIK player – Swede Robin Jansson – played from the start with the captain’s armband around his arm.
He received a yellow card in the 33rd minute.
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full screen Photo: Rebecca Blackwell / AP
