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Algeria Files FIFA Complaint Over Missed Calls vs Argentina

6/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Algeria filed a FIFA complaint over refereeing in its 3-0 World Cup loss to Argentina.
The complaint says Szymon Marciniak and the VAR ignored a Messi step on Aïssa Mandi’s calf and that Alexis Mac Allister elbowed Ibrahim Maza in the 74th minute without sanction.
The federation seeks a transparent FIFA investigation.
FIFA has not responded, leaving Algeria to prepare for Group J matches against Jordan and Austria.

History

Historical Context

After Italy’s 2-1 loss to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup round-of-16, referee Byron Moreno’s early penalty and disallowed goal sparked bias accusations from coach Giovanni Trapattoni and led FIFA president Sepp Blatter to call the officiating a “disaster.” The incident recalled the defensive-heavy 1990 tournament, which averaged 2.21 goals per game and saw 16 red cards, fueling demands for transparent VAR.

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Story summary

Algeria filed a FIFA complaint over refereeing in its 3-0 World Cup loss to Argentina.
The complaint says Szymon Marciniak and the VAR ignored a Messi step on Aïssa Mandi’s calf and that Alexis Mac Allister elbowed Ibrahim Maza in the 74th minute without sanction.
The federation seeks a transparent FIFA investigation.
FIFA has not responded, leaving Algeria to prepare for Group J matches against Jordan and Austria.

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