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23 Million Demand Messi's Argentina Banned from World Cup
25 Jul
Summary
- Over 23 million people signed a petition to ban Argentina from the World Cup.
- Petitioners cited alleged referee bias favoring Lionel Messi's team.
- A counter-petition seeks to replay the final due to alleged 'corrupt' refereeing.

More than 23 million individuals globally signed a petition to permanently remove Argentina from the FIFA World Cup, citing perceived referee favoritism towards Lionel Messi and his team during the tournament. The petition, which garnered signatures from 170 countries, aimed to ensure a fair competition.
This surge in signatures followed controversies during Argentina's path to the final, with many fans believing officials were biased. Despite these sentiments, Argentina ultimately lost the final 1-0 to Spain in extra time.
In response, a separate petition initiated by Argentine fans seeks a replay of the final match. This group alleges that the referee's performance was 'corrupt' and 'rigged,' negatively impacting the game's outcome.
Supporters behind the counter-petition argue that allowing such alleged corruption to pass unnoticed sets a poor precedent for future athletic competitions. They are urging FIFA to transparently review the incidents and consider a rematch.