FIFA has come under fire over the official selected for the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina in Atlanta.
After Spain beat France on Tuesday, attention now turns to Atlanta, where England and Argentina will battle for a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Argentina were already given approval by FIFA to wear their dark blue strip rather than their traditional light blue kit. Now, more debate has followed after the governing body confirmed the referee for the match — a figure some fans have described as Lionel Messi’s “favorite referee”.
Ismail Elfath has been appointed to take charge of the semi-final on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium. The American official has overseen several Messi matches in the past, and each of those games ended in victory for the Argentine star’s side.
Elfath is set to make history alongside assistants Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, with FIFA handing an all-U.S. officiating crew a men’s World Cup semi-final for the first time. The trio have already worked three matches together at this tournament, including Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland and England’s earlier knockout games.
According to the Mail Online, Elfath was the fourth official at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, when Argentina defeated France.
He also refereed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC in 2023, a match Messi’s team went on to win.
When the sides met again in Major League Soccer action in April 2024, Inter Miami again came out on top against Nashville SC, with Messi scoring twice in another game officiated by Elfath.
Elfath has taken charge of two more of Messi’s MLS matches as well, with Inter Miami winning both of those too.
That record has only added fuel to online claims that the tournament is being tilted in Argentina’s favor.
One soccer fan said on Twitter: “It’s not a conspiracy theory. They don’t even hide it. Every single decision favors Argentina.”
“I told you FIFA trying hard to make sure Messi wins this time,” said a second, as a third argued: “I feel like FIFA is trying to do everything they can so that Argentina will win.”
Not everyone agrees with that theory, though, and some fans have dismissed the suggestion that FIFA has influenced the outcome.
Addressing claims that Elfath is Messi’s so-called “lucky charm,” somebody penned online: “Messi’s lucky charm is that he’s the best in history and success follows him everywhere. He needs nothing but the ball at his feet.”
Another branded the conspiracy theories as “total rubbish”, somebody else said: “Bro narratives are just crazy. Once people start believing things, they always find ways to fit situations into that narrative.”
FIFA has been contacted for comment.