FIFA Confirms Ivan Barton for France vs Spain Semi-Final
FIFA has announced that Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton will officiate the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain in Dallas on Tuesday night. The 35-year-old has taken charge of three matches in the tournament so far, including a group stage game between Turkiye and Paraguay and a last-16 clash between Switzerland and Colombia.
France secured their semi-final spot with a 2-0 win over Morocco, while Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to advance. The other semi-final sees England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday night, with both winners heading to the final in New Jersey on Sunday.
Barton's Controversial Performances
Barton's appointment has sparked debate among fans. During the group stage match between Turkiye and Paraguay, he issued two yellow cards and one red card. The red card was shown to Paraguay's Miguel Almiron for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, a decision that drew criticism. Former Premier League striker Jobi McAnuff joked on ITV: "I think he was trying to get the man of the match award." Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata added: "You get the feeling that he loves being in that position. If he was carrying a GPS, then he would reach high speed because he was running everywhere."
The last-16 match between Switzerland and Colombia, also refereed by Barton, ended goalless and went to a penalty shootout in Vancouver.
Fan Reactions Divided
Social media reactions to Barton's appointment for the semi-final have been mixed. One fan wrote: "Spain-France World Cup semi-final refereed by Ivan Barton will be pure cinema," while another said: "Spectacular stuff with the Salvadoran Ivan Barton refereeing the France-Spain semi. Great news." A third fan commented: "For once, hats off to you, FIFA. Gonna be magical." Another added: "I'm being 100% serious that the addition of Ivan Barton moves Spain vs. France from a must watch World Cup semifinal to the most important televised event of the century."
However, not all fans were pleased. One wrote: "How in the world has Ivan Barton achieved a World Cup semi-final," while another predicted: "Someone is definitely getting sent off this game."
Impact on the Semi-Final
Barton's style, described as energetic and strict, could influence the flow of the match. With both France and Spain known for their technical play, his decisions may prove crucial. The semi-final is set for Tuesday night in Dallas, with kick-off at 8 p.m. local time.
