Anthony Taylor has been ‘BLOCKED from refereeing the World Cup final’ after concerns than an English official may face bias accusations from Argentina due to ill-feeling surrounding the Falkland Islands
Anthony Taylor has reportedly been barred from officiating in the World Cup final due to concerns over national bias.
Sunday’s final, which will see Argentina facing France at the Lusail Stadium, will instead be refereed by Szymon Marciniak of Poland.
It comes after reports in the Times that English refs have been barred from officiating games featuring Argentina due to fears of agitating feeling around the Falkland Islands.
Anthony Taylor will not be refereeing Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and France
It comes after concerns over concerns of bias from an Englishman refereeing Argentina
FIFA reportedly see neutrality among officials as a ‘top priority’, and it is is believed that Argentinian referees would also have been banned from England games.
While the officials themselves are not expected to have their decisions influenced by personal allegiances, the decision was made to prevent accusations of bias from teams or fans.
There have been reports of ill-feeling towards Britain from Argentinian fans at the World Cup, with the Sun claiming a chant had been heard that referenced ‘not forgetting’ the English for their role in the Falklands war.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniake will take charge of Sunday’s final instead
With political complaints avoided, Lionel Scaloni’s side will play the biggest game of their careers this weekend.
For Lionel Messi, it will be one last chance to claim the trophy that has always eluded him, eight years after heartbreak in the 2014 final in Brazil.
He will face a stern test against the World Champions, and the final could instead act as a passing of the baton moment between Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
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