World Cup referee opens up on Lionel Messi's conduct in the final: How did he act?

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FT Desk

The World Cup final referee, Slavko Vincic, has revealed how Lionel Messi conducted himself during Argentina's loss to Spain.

Throughout the tournament, critics pointed to supposed preferential treatment towards Messi and Argentina, particularly after the superstar was not booked or sent off when his studs raked down the calf of Algeria's Aïssa Mandi in the opening group game.

Argentina also benefited from a couple of high-profile decisions such as one of goals of the tournament by Egypt being disallowed for a foul on Lisandro Martinez that looked fairly soft.

Indeed, over 13 million football fans signed an online petition requesting that Argentina be kicked out of the tournament.

Alas, they reached the final hoping to defend their crown but lost 1-0 after an extra-time winner from Spain's Ferran Torres.

There were nasty scenes afterwards as many melees broke out, with Leandro Paredes accused of assaulting Spain substitute Gavi after the final whistle, with a lot of other pushing and shoving going on.

Messi conducted himself with professionalism, though, according to the Slovenian ref.

"My chat with Messi? I'll leave that conversation on the pitch. But I can say that he behaved in a sportsmanlike manner," he told Slovenian media outlet, Sport.

Vincic looked back as a whole on the honour of officiating the biggest match in World football and acknowledged the calm that was required.

"The responsibility is enormous when your entire refereeing career boils down to a single match," he explained.

"I knew that most of the work would consist of managing the game: when to stop it and when to let the action continue.

"It's the World Cup final. The players' mindset and reactions are different, and given the importance of the match, you have to understand everything. The biggest challenge is managing it all correctly during the game."

There were controversial moments in the game that had to be dealt with, such as Enzo Fernandez being sent off after two bookings as well as Spanish goal being disallowed for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi inside the box.

Vincic is content that he and his officiating partners didn't make the headlines after the game.

"We weren't a topic of conversation after the match, which shows that we generally did our job well," the Slovenian said.

"I think our refereeing strategy was the right one."

FIFA have actually opened up disciplinary measures on Argentina for the behaviour of some of their players after losing the match.

The governing body appointed an independent disciplinary and ethics prosecutor last week to examine the post-match clashes, which involved several Argentina players and members of the coaching staff, as well as Spain players.

Following the prosecutor's findings, FIFA has launched investigations into Argentina defender Nahuel Molina on two alleged counts of assault, Paredes on three alleged counts of assault, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala on one alleged count of assault, all under Article 14 of FIFA's disciplinary code.

Molina is also facing a separate allegation of unsporting behaviour under the same article.

Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi have likewise been charged with alleged unsporting behaviour under Article 14.