A formal FIFA protest: Inside Algeria's furious FIFA complaint following controversial World Cup defeat to Argentina

Algeria officially appealed to FIFA on Friday following highly controversial refereeing decisions during their 3-0 World Cup loss to Argentina.

Algeria's recent World Cup encounter against Argentina ended in a painful 3-0 defeat, heavily dictated by a spectacular hat-trick from Lionel Messi.

However, the Algerian camp firmly believes the final scoreline would have been radically different if not for several highly controversial calls made by Polish match official Szymon Marciniak.

The North African side argues that the refereeing performance directly compromised the integrity of the match.

FAF demands a formal explanation

The Algerian Football Federation has refused to let the matter slide. According to reports from the Algerian sports newspaper Compétition, FAF President Walid Sadi has officially lodged a complaint with FIFA's refereeing committee.

The federation is demanding a clear, formal explanation as to why the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system failed to intervene during multiple critical flashpoints.

The primary source of anger stems from a dangerous, high-intensity tackle by Lionel Messi on Algerian veteran defender Aïssa Mandi.

Despite standing only a few meters away from the incident, Marciniak opted to blow for a simple foul without issuing a yellow or red card. Shockingly the officials in the VAR booth chose not to review the play or invite the field referee to the monitor.

Multiple blind spots cost the Desert Foxes

The formal complaint sent to Zurich details more than just the Messi incident. Algeria also highlighted a distinct off the ball assault where Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister allegedly struck Algerian starlet Ibrahim Maza with a deliberate elbow.

Once again, the officiating crew ignored the challenge entirely.

The Algerian federation insists these errors fundamentally altered the tactical landscape of the game. Had the rules been applied correctly, Argentina could have easily played more than an entire half with only ten men on the pitch giving the Desert Foxes a genuine chance to mount a comeback.

Echoes of the infamous Gassama controversy

This is not the first time the Algerian Football Federation has aggressively challenged international officiating.

This sudden FIFA appeal heavily mirrors the dramatic aftermath of their World Cup 2022 qualification playoff against Cameroon.

Following a heartbreaking extra-time elimination, Algeria launched a massive, high-profile protest against Gambian referee Bakary Gassama citing a series of scandalous decisions that disallowed crucial Algerian goals.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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