"Conspiracy to push Messi to win": Mbappé delays penalty kick by '3 minutes 10 seconds' → misses, French fans 'furious'... "Are Argentine referees playing games?" | STARNEWS
Kylian Mbappé's controversial 3-minute delay before a penalty kick resulted in a miss, sparking outrage among French fans. The incident has raised questions about potential bias from Argentine referees.
Kylian Mbappé's missed penalty kick during the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup Round of 16 match against Morocco has ignited controversy, particularly regarding the officiating. Reports indicate that the refereeing team delayed the penalty kick by over three minutes, leading to accusations of match manipulation.
Match Overview
In the match held at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco. Despite missing a penalty in the 25th minute, Mbappé played a crucial role in the win, contributing one goal and one assist. He scored with a curling right-footed shot in the 15th minute of the second half after receiving a pass from Desire Doue, and later assisted Ousmane Dembélé's goal in the 21st minute.
Penalty Controversy
The controversy surrounding Mbappé's penalty miss stems from the circumstances leading up to the kick. Reports suggest that Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui fouled Mbappé, creating a clear penalty situation. However, the refereeing team, comprised entirely of Argentine officials, delayed the decision for 3 minutes and 10 seconds, which disrupted Mbappé's rhythm. Ultimately, he shot weakly to the left, allowing Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make an easy save. This miss marked only the second time Mbappé has failed to convert a penalty in 16 attempts for the national team, with his last miss occurring in March 2021 against Kazakhstan.
Fan Reactions
The officiating has drawn ire from French fans, who have taken to social media to express their frustration. Many are questioning the integrity of the refereeing, especially given that all officials were from Argentina, a country that faced France in the 2022 World Cup final. As the tournament progresses, France is set to face the winner of the Spain-Belgium match in the semifinals on the 15th.
As the situation unfolds, the spotlight remains on the officiating standards in the tournament, with fans and analysts alike scrutinizing the implications of such delays and the nationality of the referees involved.
Source: starnewskorea.com