A visibly frustrated Lionel Messi didn't mince words after Inter Miami's 3-0 drubbing by Orlando City, launching a scathing accusation against the referee in the match. The Argentine superstar, usually known for his cool demeanor, went off on what he felt was some seriously incompetent officiating, directly calling out the ref for not even knowing the rules of the game.
The controversy erupted over a key play where Orlando City's Iván Angulo clearly handled the ball back to his keeper Pedro Gallese inside the penalty area. Messi was livid, arguing that it should've been called a handball and a penalty kick for Miami, but the ref waved it off.
According to Messi, when he confronted the ref about the decision, the official straight-up admitted he wasn't sure about the rule. "He himself told me he didn't know the rules," Messi told reporters after the game, clearly steaming. If this accusation holds up, it's a pretty huge deal and would seriously call into question the professionalism of the referees in the MLS.
Beyond just that one play, Messi voiced his concern about a pattern of questionable calls that have been goin' against Inter Miami. "Something always happens with the referees, with specific plays. I think the MLS needs to take a closer look at the refereeing situation," the Argentine star stated.
The loss to Orlando City, Inter Miami's fifth straight defeat, is only deepening the team's current slump. While Messi's individual performance hasn't been the issue, the lack of results and now these refereeing controversies are casting a dark shadow over the team's outlook.
The MLS, for its part, hasn't officially commented on Messi's accusations yet. However, it's expected that the league will investigate the incident to determine if there were officiating errors and, if so, take appropriate action. The whole thing has caused a major stir in the soccer world, and the credibility of MLS refereeing is definitely on the line.
from: elfutbolero.us