The scene has gone around social networks. In the 87th minute of the match between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly, Lionel Messi, exasperated by a charge of Yasser Ibrahim, reacted by sticking his front to that of the Egyptian defender. A brief gesture, but sufficiently explicit to evoke a whim. However, neither red card, nor even yellow. The referee, badly placed, saw nothing … or wanted to see anything. And Messi, as often, came out without sanction.
Messi grazes the red, the referee looks away
The lack of sanction questions. Because other players, in similar situations, saw red without discussion. The octuple Ballon d'Or, it once again escapes the sanction. Should we see a simple competition of circumstances, or a recurring indulgence? This is not the first time that the treatment reserved for Messi has ignited debates. The former Parisian, despite a mixed performance, could have received a direct exclusion that would have changed the game of the match.
In this club World Cup, the draw (0-0) complicates the task of Inter Miami, which will now have to beat FC Porto or Palmeiras to hope to see the final stages. But beyond the result, it is the image of the competition that vacillates. If even occasional spectators are starting to perceive disputed decisions in favor of Messi, the event will lose all credibility. And at a time when FIFA is desperately looking to impose its flagship tournament, these partial arbitration suspicions do not fall at the right time.
Messi protected? The scene that relaunches suspicion
A tournament under the sign of doubt?
Messi's attitude, although inhabiting, does not in any way excuse the impunity which he seems to benefit. And even if no evidence makes it possible to say that FIFA intervenes directly in decisions, it becomes difficult to ignore the context: a tournament which is struggling to seduce, a low enthusiasm of the public, an uncertain return on investment. In this fragile landscape, a premature exit from Lionel Messi – the global icon, the tournament marketing face – would be a camouflet.
Therefore, one can wonder: fifa would, consciously or not, interest in maintaining Messi by class as long as possible? The idea of protective arbitration, without being asserted, is gradually fits. And if the red line were to be crossed, this club world could well leave a bitter aftertaste. The balance is precarious: between valuing its show and preserving equity, FIFA plays big … maybe even too much.
