Nigerians have angrily reacted to decisions made by 41-year-old Turkish referee, Cuneyt Cakir after the Super Eagles’ 1-2 loss to Argentina in the last group D game of the ongoing World Cup.
The loss knocked Nigeria out of the competition after the country racked up three points in as many games while Argentina progressed to the last-16 stage on four points.
Many Nigerian football lovers believe the Turkish referee, Cakir was biased in denying the Eagles a penalty when an Argentine defender nodded the ball to his arm while inside the 18-yard box.
However, the Turkish referee ruled out a penalty after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor.
See angry reactions below:
This referee is a cow
— Toke Makinwa (@tokstarr) June 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/OsaGz/status/1011683000646586369
The referee has joined Argentina
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 26, 2018
Our boys fought gallantly in Russia tonight and almost won though the stadium was filled with Argentinians and the Turkish referee worked against us. We almost had it in the bag but God suddenly remembered that 200 people were just slaughtered in Jos and we didn't give a damn!
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) June 26, 2018
Don't know why @FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup and referee are cheat and racists. Nigeria won the match. Up Nigeria
— Lafiaji boy (@brokurtor) June 27, 2018
Thy are not fair to African teams those European referees
— @skipper.lr10lasi (@Skipper82908104) June 27, 2018
Pepe's ball touched his head before the ball touched the left hand but the referee after reviewing the video whistled for a penalty
— Fareed Ander Herrera (@Fareed_herrera) June 27, 2018
Words can’t even express how much I hate that useless referee.
— Amina Abdullahi (@Mvnaaa___) June 26, 2018
The referee was definitely Ghanaian
— Użøma🌹 (@JusteauX_) June 26, 2018
After all the cheating and referee abuse from Argentina, it’s disgusting that they through at the expense of a team who handled themselves with dignity all tournament… referee sees the penalty on screen and still doesn’t give it, mascherano covered in blood and still on..
— Thiago Silva 🔥 (@Despicable_B_) June 26, 2018
Argentina are relying entirely on their best player: this referee
— Hussein Ibish (@Ibishblog) June 26, 2018
Fuck FIFA
Fuck that referee
Fuck the World Cup
And if you support Messi against Nigeria then FUCK YOU TOO
— OTUNBA (@OGCarterMillz) June 26, 2018
1. I'm not sure Moses is interested in this match
2. I don't know what's wrong with kelechi Iheanacho today
3. Why did Rohr use idowu after seeing the good show Ebuehi put up in the last match
4. This Turkish referee is so bias #NGAARG
— #EndSARS LBM™ (@LBMtweet) June 26, 2018
#NGAARG so this what the referee saw 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JI97CFemh0
— R.A.Y.M.O.N.D😎 (@PrinceRaymondHD) June 26, 2018
For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against demons, against rulers & forces of darkness in high places 👇
The INEC
The DSS
The Military
The Herdsmen
The NPF / SARs
The Boko Haram terrorists
The President
The Referee!!!
They all collude to cause us suffering😭#NGAARG
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) June 26, 2018
Nigerians are on the referee’s IG page 😂🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/CeBdsVJldf
— BLESSING🌼 (@Belbeyond) June 26, 2018