Copa America 2024: The fate of Messi’s Argentina lies in the hands of Brazilian referee in the final! Know more
Xtra Time Web Desk: The fate of Lionel Messi's Argentina will be in the hands of Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, a controversial decision made by CONMEBOL. The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, taking place this Sunday, will be officiated by Claus, sparking intense debate among football fans and analysts alike.
CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, announced the appointment on Thursday, immediately fueling tensions given the historic rivalry between Argentina and Brazil. Claus, a senior international referee since 2015, is widely regarded as one of South America’s top officials. His resume includes officiating high-profile matches across the continent at both the club and international levels.
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Notably, Claus officiated two group-stage matches at the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar – England versus Iran and Canada versus Morocco. He also handled the Copa America 2024 group-stage match between Mexico and Venezuela without incident.
However, the decision to assign a Brazilian referee to a match involving Argentina has not gone unnoticed. With Brazil and Argentina being fierce footballing rivals, Claus’ appointment will dominate headlines and stir up conspiracy theories until the final whistle blows.
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The officiating at this edition of the Copa America has already been under intense scrutiny. Human errors and controversial decisions by video assistant referees have led to widespread criticism from players, coaches, and pundits. As a result, Sunday’s final represents a significant test for Claus and CONMEBOL, especially with the tournament’s matches becoming increasingly physical.
All eyes will be on Raphael Claus as he steps onto the pitch this Sunday. His performance could very well influence the outcome of one of the most anticipated matches in South American football history.
