Controversial World Cup referee Mateu Lahoz supplied extra leisure in his first sport again in Spain by presiding over Barcelona’s fiery 1-1 derby draw with Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.
Lahoz took cost of three video games in Qatar, most notably Argentina’s penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands within the quarter finals, after which he was criticised by Lionel Messi who urged FIFA to not appoint him once more as a result of “You may’t use a referee like him for these matches”.
He gave out 15 yellow playing cards and despatched off Denzel Dumfries in that World Cup sport and he wasted little time in resorting to his pocket in his first La Liga sport because the winter break.
The 45-year-old distributed one other 13 yellow playing cards for dissent to some tempestuous Barça and Espanyol gamers, additionally dismissing each Jordi Alba – who talked his manner right into a pink card – and Vinicius Souza.
Espanyol equalised by way of a penalty awarded within the second half but in addition wanted VAR intervention to overturn a pink card given to Leandro Cabrera. Barça supervisor Xavi additionally seemed to be ejected throughout the chaos.
Alba and Souza will miss video games in opposition to Atletico Madrid and Girona respectively, whereas additional strain will likely be on Lahoz as ridiculous video games proceed to observe him.
