Joao Pinheiro He broke his silence after the World Cup. The Portuguese referee, in charge of directing the quarterfinal duel between Argentina and Switzerlandhe reviewed in an interview with Channel 11 some of the actions that marked a meeting surrounded by controversy.
One of them was the Embolo expulsion for double yellow. Pinheiro explained that, at first, the referee team interpreted that he argentine player there was committed an offense deserving of a warning. However, review of the play showed that There was no foul and that the rival had simulated contact.
A new VAR rule explains the controversial expulsion of Embolo
“We saw that there was no infraction and that it was a simulation. Since it was the second yellow card, it ended in expulsion. If it had been the first, the decision would have been exactly the same,” said the referee, who positively valued the changes introduced by FIFA to correct this type of actions.
We saw that there was no violation and that it was a simulation. As it was the second yellow card, it ended in expulsion.
The tense dialogue with Messi
The party also left a discussion between Pinheiro and Lionel Messi. The cameras captured the Argentine captain asking the referee to speak to him correctly and not to disrespect him.
The Portuguese He downplayed the episode and assured that it was not an exceptional situation. “Messi raised some problems with me, as did other players. The captains talk more with the referees and the new rules allow that dialogue,” he explained.
Pinheiro considers that the The Argentine’s name amplified a common exchange on the field of play. “As it was Messi, he had more visibility, but it happens with many footballers. When they are Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, these situations are seen differently,” he noted.
When it’s Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, these situations are seen differently
Far from considering these conversations harmful, the referee believes that they can help control matches without constantly resorting to cards. “They are healthy dialogues. We don’t have to reprimand him for everything. He could have misinterpreted something I did, we talked, we understood each other and we moved on,” he added.
We don’t have to admonish for everything
The referee also recalled with emotion their participation in the World Cup, which returned a Portuguese referee team to the finals twelve years later. Pinheiro especially thanked the support of the president of the Portuguese Federation, Pedro Proençawho accompanied the referees throughout the tournament: “There are no words to describe a World Cup. You only understand its dimension when you live it,” he concluded.
