Morocco complain to FIFA over refereeing of World Cup semi-final defeat

The Moroccan Football Association (FRMF) have confirmed they have lodged a complaint with FIFA over the officiating of their World Cup semi-final defeat to France.

The African nation’s mesmeric run this winter was put to bed by reigning champions France on Wednesday as goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani eliminated them from the semi-final.

During the game, the Morocco players felt visibly aggrieved as referee Cesar Arturo Ramos dismissed two separate appeals for a penalty, and the FRMF have now lodged an official complaint as a result.

“The FRMF strongly protests the arbitration of the Morocco vs France match officiated by Mr. Cesar Arturo Ramos,” a statement read.

“The FRMF sent a letter to the competent body in which it calls on the arbitration situations which deprived the Moroccan team of two indesputable penalties in the opinion of several arbitration specialists. The FRMF also expressed its great astonishment that the Video Assiatance to Arbitration (VAR) system did not react to these arbitration situations.

“The FRMF recalls that it will spare no effort to defend and preserve the rights of the national teams by advocating fairness in arbitration and by denouncing these arbitration decisions taken during this semi-final encounter of the World Cup.”

Having fallen in the semi-final, Morocco’s focus is now on the third-place play-off against Croatia on Saturday.

France, on the other hand, have a final against Argentina to look forward to.