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I didn't think World Cup management and officiating would be "fair", but here we go in the first round already
Verdict: Messi's challenge was unnecessary and he was fortunate that the outcome was not a red card.
When challenging from behind with studs-on-calf contact and a level of force, the outcome should be a red card.
Whether Messi had no intent to foul in this manner is irrelevant; intent is not a consideration in law, and the facts of any contact should be the defining factor.
Messi was lucky as, in my opinion, this was a red card offense. It happened with the score at 1-0 and could have had a big impact on the game. It would have also impacted Messi's ability to play the rest of the World Cup group games, as a one-match ban could have occurred.
When challenging from behind with studs-on-calf contact and a level of force, the outcome should be a red card.
Whether Messi had no intent to foul in this manner is irrelevant; intent is not a consideration in law, and the facts of any contact should be the defining factor.
Messi was lucky as, in my opinion, this was a red card offense. It happened with the score at 1-0 and could have had a big impact on the game. It would have also impacted Messi's ability to play the rest of the World Cup group games, as a one-match ban could have occurred.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49027532/world-cup-2026-var-review-red-card-penalty-handball-goal-line-technology
Also, Iran should be playing in Mexico or Canada. Forcing their commute to and from the US on the same day they play is onerous and adds more than a few hours of stress filled travel. Their team should be treated like any other as long as they’re competing.
8 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
there were many, many people voicing their displeasure at FIFA's double standards. The previous world cup in Qatar was rigged (many people believe) for either of the PSG boys to win the world cup. PSG are the French club team that is owned by the Qataris for which Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar played at the time.
99.9999% of the players commit that foul like Messi did, and it's an automatic yellow card reviewable by VAR for a potential red card. He got neither. 
