[Zhan Jianjian/Rapporto completo]Although Morocco lost to France 0-2 in the semifinals, due to dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision, the Moroccan Football Federation decided to formally file a complaint with FIFA, requesting that the match be replayed, but since the 6 the third place and the championship game will be held, this appeal is almost difficult to change the result.
The North African side were beaten 2-0 by France at Al Bayt Stadium but claimed they missed two 12-yard penalties.
Morocco were the first African team to go that far at the World Cup, but goals from T. Hernández and R. Kolo Muani meant they missed the final.
However, there was much talk of referee Cesar Ramos’ standards and as a result, many fans clamored for a rematch.
According to “Footmercato”, the Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) argued that “Morocco’s protest after two penalties were not missed in the first quarter”, one of the incidents was Boufal (Sofiane Boufal) was fouled by Hernandez, but instead of being awarded 12 yards, the former Southampton star was fouled by the Frenchman and was shown a yellow card by the Mexican referee.
Despite the mistake, the VAR neither intervened nor challenged Ramos, who is believed to have upset RMFF.
Another penalty was awarded when Standard Liege midfielder Selim Amallah crashed into the penalty area following a free-kick, but the referee did not blow his whistle.
RMFF has since decided to appeal after being emboldened by requests for a rematch from fans that flooded a Ramos-owned Instagram account. After the match, the account sent a message to Moroccan fans saying, “My friends, people of Morocco. Please bear with us. If you are not satisfied with the game, you can raise a collective objection through the FIFA website, and the game can be replayed”.
Moroccan fans criticized the referee’s performance in the penalty area. One said: “Explain Boufal’s yellow card. This yellow card should be for a French player. I think you have forgotten how to do your job.” hit Boufal in the penalty area. Instead of a penalty, you gave him a yellow card.” A fourth commented: “It’s a terrible idea. Our team is unfair and the whole Moroccan country is sad.”
