sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Controversial England vs France referee could take charge of World Cup final

Home> Football

Updated 12:39 12 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 12:38 12 Dec 2022 GMT

Controversial England vs France referee could take charge of World Cup final

Wilton Sampaio came in for heavy criticism after taking charge of England's 2-1 defeat to France.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Wilton Sampaio, the referee from England's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, could take charge of the tournament's final.

The Brazilian official drew ire from England players, pundits and fans alike for his performance at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday night.

Sampaio awarded England two penalties in the clash but many felt as though he got a whole host of key decisions wrong.

In the first half, he did not whistle for a free-kick for what looked like a blatant foul from Dayot Upamecano on Bukayo Saka in the build-up to France's opener from Aurelien Tchouameni.

Advert

There was also a second challenge from Upamecano on Kane which went unpunished as VAR deemed the challenge to have occurred just outside the box.

The second spot-kick he awarded only came about when he went to the VAR monitor and noticed he had missed Theo Hernandez completely bundling over an onrushing Mason Mount.

Jude Bellingham was adamant that the AC Milan left-back should have been sent off, though an officiating loophole saved Hernandez.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Gary Neville branded Sampaio "a joke of a referee", while Harry Maguire laid into him in three separate interviews and described his "decision-making" as "really poor".

However, Sampaio is still over in Qatar and could genuinely be the man in the middle for the final, as per The Times.

Because his native Brazil were eliminated by Croatia on penalties, Sampaio has been retained by FIFA for the final week of the competition.

Premier League ref Anthony Taylor is also in contention for the final and could follow in the footsteps of Howard Webb, who took charge of Spain's win over the Netherlands in South Africa back in 2010.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Compatriot Michael Oliver has been sent home despite some assured displays and so too has controversial Spaniard Antonio Mateu Lahoz after his outing in Argentina's penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands.

He gave out 15 yellow cards, plus a red for Denzel Dumfries after the shoot-out. Lionel Messi teared into Lahoz during a post-match interview and claimed he should not referee another game in Qatar.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or has got his wish as Lahoz will not be officiating any of the remaining four fixtures.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: England, Football World Cup, France, Brazil

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

David Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGettyTyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Barcelona star sets unwanted record during Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid

    Barcelona star sets an unwanted record with his sending off in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Atletico Madrid end 20-year record with historic victory over Barcelona in Champions League

    Atletico Madrid's victory over Barcelona in the Champions League was historic for the club and Diego Simeone.

    Football
  • Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Liverpool make Arne Slot sack decision after PSG defeat

    The Liverpool board have made up their mind following the 2-0 defeat in the Champions League.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Barcelona set to battle two-time Champions League winners for Premier League star

    Barcelona are set to battle Juventus and Benfica for the signing of a Premier League star.

    Football
  • Donald Trump told to take ‘urgent action’ over shocking World Cup human rights claim
  • England superfan Andy Milne makes the ultimate sacrifice to attend 2026 World Cup
  • Italy could still qualify for 2026 World Cup despite Bosnia defeat
  • England Could Land in Group of Death in Nightmare World Cup Draw