Is Referee Ismail Elfath Favouring Lionel Messi in England vs Argentina?

England and Argentina were already set for a blockbuster World Cup semi-final, but FIFA's latest refereeing appointment has added another layer of intrigue. The governing body has confirmed that referee Ismail Elfath will be in charge of the clash, and fans have wasted no time digging into his history with Lionel Messi.

A statistic that has gone viral on social media claims Messi has never lost a match officiated by Ismail Elfath. Unsurprisingly, that has sparked plenty of debate, with some England supporters wondering whether it could work in Argentina's favour.

Why Is Ismail Elfath's Appointment Raising Eyebrows?

The Moroccan-American official has a curious history with the Argentine captain. One of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi has never lost a match officiated by referee Ismail Elfath, a run spanning five appearances and including Inter Miami's dramatic 2023 Leagues Cup final triumph over Nashville SC on penalties.

Elfath was also the fourth official for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, the night Messi finally lifted the trophy after Argentina beat France on penalties. That coincidence alone has been enough to fuel chatter that referee Ismail Elfath favours Argentina, even though nothing in his record points to deliberate bias.

At this tournament, Elfath has already overseen three matches: a 2-2 draw between the Netherlands and Japan, Spain's narrow win over Uruguay, in which he issued a stoppage-time red card, and Norway's shock last-16 win over Brazil, where VAR bailed him out after he missed a clear penalty.

He has shown eight yellow cards and one red so far, which is hardly the profile of a soft or one-sided official. The conversation isn't really about Elfath's experience; only a few question that.

The American referee has officiated at World Cups, CONCACAF tournaments, and countless MLS fixtures, earning a reputation as one of FIFA's trusted officials. Instead, it's the Messi statistic that has grabbed everyone's attention.

As soon as FIFA announced the appointment, fans began sharing the unbeaten record across X and other social media platforms. Some have even suggested that referee Ismail Elfath favours the Argentina national football team star, while others believe the statistic is nothing more than an unusual coincidence.

There's also no evidence that FIFA considered Messi's previous record when making the appointment. Referees are selected based on their performances, consistency, fitness levels, and ability to handle high-pressure matches.

By appointing referee Ismail Elfath to a World Cup semifinal, FIFA is effectively showing its confidence in his ability to manage one of the biggest games in football.

With a place in the World Cup final on the line, every major decision will be dissected. If Elfath awards a penalty, shows a red card, or overturns a goal after a VAR review, fans from both sides will inevitably debate whether he got it right.

For now, however, the claim that referee Ismail Elfath favours Argentina remains simply a claim circulating online. The statistic may be fascinating, but it doesn't prove bias. Ultimately, the spotlight will be on the referee to ensure that the football, rather than the officiating, becomes the lasting story from England's showdown with Argentina.