Copa America 2024: Argentina Boss Reacts to Claims That Referee ‘Cheat’ for Lionel Messi and Co

• Lionel Scaloni has dismissed the notion that referees favour his team at Copa America 2024, emphasising that human error still exists
• The Argentina manager did not take the unfounded claims lightly, suggesting there were similar calls during the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Meanwhile, his side will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals, a side they defeated three years ago at the same stage in the last edition

Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, has strongly refuted claims that referees have been biased in favour of his team at the ongoing 2024 Copa America.

Scaloni's men are on course to defend their title, having dominated the group stages with an impeccable record. La Albiceleste won all three of their Group A matches without conceding a single goal.

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Despite their talismanic captain, Lionel Messi, struggling to find the net, Argentina has managed to score five goals in the tournament so far.

They have been paired with Ecuador, who bounced back from a shaky start to secure second place in Group B in the quarter-finals, ESPN reports.

Ahead of the crucial match-up, Scaloni addressed allegations that refereeing decisions have been favourable to his side.

Scaloni pours cold water on biased officiating claims

The 2022 World Cup-winning coach took a firm stand against these claims, drawing parallels to similar accusations made during their triumph in Qatar.

"Today, anyone can write whatever they want on social media. I would be cautious because they said the same in Qatar," he said in a presser, as cited by AlbicelesteTalk.

He elaborated further, stating, "When you win, people tend to say they favour the winning side because they have no other choice than to complain. I am the coach of the national team, and I don't believe that.

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"We are only focused on ourselves and doing our job. Anyone can say anything."

While dismissing the allegations of undue favour from match officials, Scaloni acknowledged that referees are human and can make mistakes, even with the assistance of VAR.

"A referee can make a mistake; it happens; they are human. There are plays that they review with VAR, and they are very close calls. I don’t think they favour us. Human error still exists. I completely dismiss that idea."

Fans claim Copa America is rigged

Despite Scaloni's statements, some football fans believe the 2024 Copa America is rigged in favour of Lionel Messi’s Argentina, as reported by Sports Brief earlier.

This sentiment surfaced on social media following Brazil’s final group-stage draw against Colombia, where Brazil was denied a penalty.

Aggrieved fans allege that the tournament, held in the USA, is corrupt and that the organizers want Argentina to win.