FIFA are facing mounting calls to suspend referee Ilgiz Tantashev after he failed to issue a single yellow card to Paraguay during their fiery 1-0 World Cup defeat to France. The Uzbek official, a FIFA-listed referee for 13 years, allowed Paraguay to commit 12 fouls without any disciplinary action, sparking outrage among fans and pundits.
Match Overview
France secured a narrow victory thanks to a 70th-minute penalty from Kylian Mbappe, setting up a quarter-final clash with Morocco. However, the match was overshadowed by Paraguay's aggressive tactics, which included repeated fouls on Mbappe and other French players. Despite the intensity, Tantashev brandished no yellow cards to the South American side, while three French players were booked.
BBC pundits Joe Hart and Thomas Hitzlsperger condemned Paraguay's behavior. Hart described their tactics as 'an absolute disgrace' and said he would 'never want to win that way.' Hitzlsperger admitted he lost respect for the team.
Fan and Pundit Reactions
World Cup fans took to social media to criticize Tantashev. One fan wrote: 'Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev with an extraordinary performance. No interest in refereeing, no interest in applying the laws of the game, no interest in player welfare.' Another added: 'That was one of the worst referee performances I have ever seen at any level.'
Many called for FIFA to suspend the referee. 'Ilgiz Tantashev needs a red card and suspended for the rest of the World Cup,' one fan said. Another wrote: 'Ilgiz Tantashev and the VAR officials on duty should be suspended. That was the worst officiating I've seen in this World Cup.'
Post-Match Scenes
The match ended in unsavoury scenes as Paraguay players clashed with France. Mbappe refused to shake hands with goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who threw the ball at him in frustration. Hart defended Mbappe's reaction, saying: 'I absolutely love how he's behaved in this game. He's allowed to be arrogant because he is brilliant.'
Thierry Henry, the 1998 World Cup winner, declared it 'a victory for football.' He praised France for staying composed under provocation, adding: 'Football won.'
Impact and Calls for Action
The controversy has intensified demands for FIFA to review Tantashev's performance and consider suspension. With the World Cup progressing, fans and analysts argue that such officiating undermines player safety and the integrity of the tournament.
