The controversial referee who angered Lionel Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup is now reportedly set to retire after facing heavy criticism for handing out 35 cards in his past three matches.
Spanish match official Mateu Lahoz was in charge of the infamous quarter-final between Argentina and Netherlands in Qatar that saw a record-breaking 18 yellow cards being handed out.
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Following the referee's controversial performance in that tie, he was slated by Messi and a number of the superstar's Albiceleste teammates while some Dutch stars also criticised his display, with that match turning out to be Lahoz's last appearance at the World Cup in the Middle East.
Last Saturday, the Spaniard caused a stir again when Barcelona faced Espanyol in LaLiga, showing his yellow card to 15 players and issuing two reds in the heated clash, a record for most cards in a Spanish top-flight match.
He also sent off Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli just 17 minutes in their Copa del Rey tie against Linares on Wednesday, and it is further reported that Lahoz has, in total, handed out 35 cards in his last three games alone.
With the referee having come under fire in a big way over the past month as a result, TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul has now reported that Lahoz has decided to call time on his career as a match official, and will walk away from the game at the end of this season.
His reported decision to do so comes after the Spanish football authorities decided to leave him out of the this weekend's LaLiga matches.
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It remains unclear if the 45-year-old will be given another chance to officiate LaLiga games in the weeks ahead.
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