Controversial World Cup referee who angered Lionel Messi reveals the REAL reason why he retired

A controversial World Cup referee has revealed the real reason he was forced to retire following 32 years of officiating. 

The Spanish official was infamous for his bold decision-making in matches, particularly when he was in charge of Argentina’s World Cup match against the Netherlands last year.

The 46-year-old produced a record 17 cards, which included a red for Denzel Dumfries after Argentina’s penalty-shootout victory. 

Following the game, Messi led criticism against him which saw him sent home from the tournament before the semi-finals.

Now, Mateu Lahoz has claimed he was ‘demoted’ as a referee and ‘pushed’ to retire by the Technical Committee for Referees (CTA) after he was given a guard of honour in his final game in La Liga last season.

The number of cards, which included a red for Denzel Dumfries, was a record amount

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‘There has been a bit of controversy, but people have to understand that I was demoted. They demoted me, that is the truth,’ he told Marca.

‘I would have continued on the pitch. But for the CTA I was one of the worst referees last season and that is why I am not on the green.’

Following his World Cup controversy, Lahoz was immediately thrust back into the limelight when he dished out another 15 cards during a game between Barcelona and Espanyol.

Messi originally criticised the ref last year by saying: ‘I don’t want to speak about referees because after they will sanction you. But people saw what happened.

‘I think Fifa must take care of this, it cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance. The referee cannot fail to be up to the task.’

After the World Cup, Lahoz was thrust into the spotlight after giving out 15 cards in this match