Former Premier League referee Graham Scott says World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic made two mistakes in the match between Spain and Argentina. On Sunday night, Spain won the country’s second World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey.
Vincic had a busy game as referee with several high-profile decisions, including the red card given to Chelsea star Enzo Fernandes, but he was also booked twice in the closing stages before extra-time began.
Fernandes’ teammate Leandro Paredes was also shown a red card after the final whistle after a heated exchange with Spanish pair Gabi and Eric Garcia.
Vincic also booked Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister, but Scott questions why the latter needed to receive a penalty earlier in the contest.
Scott insists Mac Allister should have been included in the first half and that the Liverpool midfielder should not have received a yellow card until late in extra-time.
“Referee Slavko Vincic took a conservative approach in the World Cup final in the first half, but his decision not to give Alexis Mac Allister a yellow card may come back to haunt him,” Scott told The Athletic.
“The Liverpool midfielder’s tackle on the halfway line early in the first half was slow, involved both legs and could only be described as reckless. The fourth official had perfect perspective and could have explained what he saw in words that would have given Vincic a card.”
“Top referees always want the first yellow to be for an attack that no one can challenge, so borderline tackles are sometimes excused early in the match. But Mac Allister crossed the line in the 15th minute and should have been punished.”
“If Mac Allister had subsequently committed a yellow card offense that had a major impact on the match, including stopping a significant Spanish attack, Vincic might have regretted his leniency.”
Scott also said he believed Nicolas Tagliafico should have been shown a yellow card for a first-half foul, and Vincic chose not to issue a warning to the Lyon defender.
“When Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico deliberately knocked down Spain’s Lamine Yamal, he could have easily received a yellow card,” he added.
“He was saved by Lisandro Martinez, who was nearby, but the challenge was so unconventional, clumsy and planned that many referees would have cautioned the defender.”
