"All Referees Are Thieves" - Uruguay Faces Disciplinary Action for Verbal Abuse and Assault After Elimination

Jimenez insults the referee
and Cavani knocks over the VAR equipment

Luis Suarez

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] After Uruguay was eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the players expressed their anger. Some faced the risk of disciplinary action due to violent behavior such as swearing and striking objects.

On the 3rd (Korean time), Uruguay won 2-0 against Ghana in the third match of Group H at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, finishing with a final record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. However, they failed to advance to the round of 16 due to losing out on goal difference to South Korea, who had the same record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

After the match against Ghana, Uruguay players expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's decisions. Uruguay needed a victory by a margin of three goals or more to advance to the round of 16. The players claimed that a penalty kick should have been awarded when Uruguay’s forward Edinson Cavani collided with a Ghana player inside the penalty area and fell during the second half, but it was not given.

Subsequently, the match continued without a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, and the game ended without any additional goals. Uruguay players protested, with Jos? Gim?nez swearing at the referee after the match. He also said to the TV cameras, "The referees are all thieves." During this process, he was also suspected of elbowing the back of a FIFA official’s head.

Uruguayan players protesting to the referees after the end of the Ghana match

Cavani, unable to contain his anger while protesting to the referee, struck the VAR monitor with his right hand as he was walking back to the locker room, knocking it over. Due to the ongoing violent protests by the players, the British media outlet Daily Mail reported that suspensions of up to 15 matches could be possible.

Su?rez, after being substituted, watched the game from the bench and even shed tears. After the match, he criticized FIFA, saying, "Cavani was tripped by the opposing defender. A penalty kick should have been awarded." He added, "Not to make excuses, but unbelievable penalty kicks are being given in this World Cup. The refereeing committee and FIFA should at least try to explain better."

He also revealed that after the match, when he tried to hug his wife and children, FIFA prevented him from doing so, criticizing FIFA’s tournament management as a mess. He said, "I saw French players with their children on the substitute bench. So why is it always not allowed for Uruguay?" He continued, "For the children to come down briefly and greet me, the media side needs to put in more effort. That’s exactly FIFA," he criticized.