Lionel Messi Blasts Referee for Bias Toward Brazil in Copa America Semifinals
Brazil sealed its place in the Copa America final with a 2-0 victory over Argentina, but there was more than a little controversy about the game.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino were enough to steer Brazil to the final, but Lionel Messi was left furious at the officiating after feeling aggrieved over calls that didn't go Argentina's way–going so far as to accuse the officials of bias toward the Copa America hosts.
Argentina had multiple shouts for penalties turned down by referee Roddy Zambrano–including one in the game-sealing moment. Sergio Aguero appeared to be tripped in the penalty area shortly before Brazil scored its second goal, while Arthur escaped without punishment after blocking off Nicolas Otamendi in the dying embers of the game.
Speaking after the game, Messi simply could not hide his frustrations towards the officials.
He said: "Brazil were not better than us. They found the net early and the second goal came from a penalty they didn't award. [VAR] got tired of calling s**t fouls in this Copa America and today they didn't even check it. Today they never went to VAR.
"All the bulls**t decisions were to favor them. Cards for us, not to them. There were clear fouls [the referee] never saw. That happened all during the game. At the first glance of contact, they ruled in their favor and this kind of bulls**t distracted us from the game.
"The truth is we’re angry because we played very well, we put in a huge effort and for it to end like this makes us sad... I spoke to the referee and he said he would respect us that he would look after us but at no moment did I see that. Throughout the tournament they called bulls**t handballs, bulls**t penalties and bulls**t fouls. But somehow today, they refused to use VAR.
"There is no excuses for us, but we need to review this, analyze it and let's hope CONMEBOL does something about it - but surely not, because Brazil commands too much power in the organization."
