Controversial referee Mateu Lahoz to retire at end of 2022-23 season following heavy criticism in last 3 matches

Controversial referee Mateu Lahoz to retire at end of 2022-23 season following heavy criticism in last 3 matches

Mateu Lahoz to retire from Football

Mateu Lahoz, a disputed referee, has apparently planned to hang up his whistle and cards after this year’s campaign. Lahoz has gained popularity as one of the sport’s most contentious referees, frequently taking the focus rather than the players in games he has refereed.

Mateu Lahoz first came under fire after the tense encounter featuring Argentina and the Netherlands in the 2022 FIFA World Cup that concluded in the mayhem. He bizarrely showed 18 cards in Argentina’s quarterfinal play against the Netherlands the previous month, a record for a FIFA World Cup match. Emiliano Martinez referred to Lahoz as “useless” after the contest, which was settled in the penalties. The referee was later transported back to Spain. He was sent back home after the conclusion of the Round of 16.

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Lahoz recently took command of the Catalan derby over the weekend, issuing 14 yellow cards and three red cards. Furthermore, as if that wasn’t sufficient, he fired Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli the previous night in the Copa del Rey.

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The Spanish football authorities have chosen to exclude him from the forthcoming weekend’s games, and it appears that his career as an official is nearing a close.  It is unknown whether he will be assigned to another match the subsequent week. According to sports reporter Gaston Edul, the 45-year-old official has chosen to step down in the summer.

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What did Mateu Lahoz do in FC Barcelona’s match in La Liga?

Official Antonio Mateu Lahoz hit the news yet again after issuing 16 yellow and two red cards in the La Liga encounter between Barcelona and Espanyol. Lahoz sent off two players in a La Liga encounter involving Barcelona and Espanyol, which ended in a 1-1 tie.

Lahoz awarded yellow cards to seven Barcelona players who were playing on December 31 at Camp Nou. Jordi Alba was dismissed after being charged twice. Likewise, six Espanyol players were penalized by the 45-year-old official. Vinicius Souza was also sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

When questioned about Lahoz just before the match, Barcelona boss Xavi remarked, “(Mateu Lahoz) whistled a lot of my games as a player. He speaks a lot, and that is positive. The referee is a judge and cannot get nervous, and he does not. It is difficult to be a ref,”. Barcelona was compelled to split points with 16th-place Espanyol due to the tie. Nonetheless, FC Barcelona maintains its lead in La Liga thanks to a higher goal difference than Real Madrid, who is tied alongside on 38 points.

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