image source, Getty Images
French football fans are holding a serious petition demanding a replay of the World Cup soccer final.
After a 3-3 draw, Argentina won the trophy in a penalty shootout. But the French fans did not accept the decision.
Ever since the tournament ended, debates regarding the finals controversies have started on social media.
A request for a rerun of the contest has been raised on MesOpinions, an online petition aggregator. More than 2 lakh people have already signed this online petition.
Argentina’s first two goals were illegal, the petition said.
‘Wrong to give Argentina a penalty’
The first argument put forward by those demanding a replay of the Argentina-France final is that Argentina should not have been awarded the first penalty chance.
Argentina were awarded a penalty after France’s Ousmane Dembele collided with Argentina’s Di María inside the D-box to prevent the ball from being cleared. Messi took advantage of this opportunity in the 23rd minute to score.
This led to Argentina taking the lead. Although the Argentine fans were cheering at the moment, the French fans did not accept it as a penalty.
As evidence for this, the French fans also published the scenes touching Di Maria on social media. Many posted that Di Maria fell down on her own. They also mentioned that he fell because his other leg stopped him.
image source, Getty Images
France fans also criticized the referee for not using video aid to award the penalty. But despite Dembele’s slow touch, the response was criticized as a penalty.
This discussion has now evolved into an online petition.
image source, Getty Images
‘Second goal invalid’
Di Maria scored Argentina’s second goal in the 36th minute of the final. Maria ran the ball from Argentina’s goal area and scored in the goal.
But France fans say Romero fouled Mbappe as he intercepted the ball. They say Di Maria’s second goal should also be disallowed.
image source, Getty Images
Can online petitions lead to rematch?
Despite social media discussions, online petitions, complaints, etc., there is no chance of the finals being held once again.
Because FIFA has never taken the decision to re-run the tournament even though there have been many complaints about the matches in the past.
image source, Getty Images
What else is controversial?
Criticism continues on social media that not only the first two goals in the final but also the third goal scored by Messi in Argentina are invalid.
However, critics say the goal in extra time was a go-ahead as the ball crossed the goal line.
Apart from the controversies on the pitch, there have been controversies during the celebrations.
Argentina goalkeeper Amy Martinez is to be investigated for allegedly mocking French footballer Kylian Mbappe in the final.
image source, Getty Images
Martinez brought Mbappe’s face on a baby doll to welcome Argentina’s World Cup-winning team to Buenos Aires.
The photo and video went viral on social media and drew heavy criticism. Many times before, Martins has been involved in activities that Mbappe himself has mocked.
A video calling for a minute’s silence for Mbappe in the rest room shortly after winning the World Cup at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar drew similar criticism.
BBC Tamil on Social Media: