CORNERFLICK
FIFA has appointed Ismail Elfath to referee England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, a choice that has already drawn heavy criticism in the British press.
Elfath is a US-based official of Moroccan origin. The source material says Lionel Messi has won all four matches he has overseen, including games in Major League Soccer.
The Daily Mail’s official account on X posted that Messi had got his “favourite referee” for the semi-final. The appointment has prompted a wave of reaction from fans and renewed scrutiny of officiating around Argentina.
Elfath’s previous handling of high-profile matches has also been questioned. The source points to his performance in Spain’s meeting with Uruguay in the group stage, when he allowed the game to become increasingly physical before sending off Cabouboi later than expected.
England now face a South American side in a semi-final that already carries extra tension because of the referee appointment. British coverage has focused on Elfath’s lenient style and the perception that Messi’s teams have tended to benefit from his decisions.