Referee Mark Geiger put up a disappointing display during the match between Mexico and Panama. The American ref had some controversial calls that infuriated Los Canaleros and led to Mexico's equalizing goal.
Geiger started off with an unfair red card against Luis Tejada, who lifted his arm and seemed to hit Francisco Rodriguez accidentally. The ref thought Tejada had thrown an elbow to the defender's face, and decided to show the red card.
Panama seemed to have the better chances to score, and even went ahead thanks to Román Torres' goal. But Geiger again stepped up and made a more than questionable call by giving Mexico a penalty kick when the game had entered stoppage time. Los Canaleros even threatened to leave the pitch as a sign of protest, but eventually they returned to have the penalty scored by Andrés Guardado.
During the first fifteen minutes of extra time, Geiger gave Mexico another penalty, this one not being that controversial as the first one. Guardado managed to put the ball past Penedo to give Mexico the go ahead goal and seal their ticket to the Gold Cup's final match.
Fans, experts and trolls had a field day attacking the ref and even CONCACAF. Take a look at some of them below.
Mexico's new player: Mark Geiger!
El nuevo jugador de méxico, ¡Mark Geiger! @la_cascara @DavisZone pic.twitter.com/aAUZ27qKOD
— Álvaro Diaz (@AlvaroJoseD) July 23, 2015
Someone savaged the Wikipedia page of Mark Geiger the match official for #PAN vs. #MEX. Damn! #GoldCup2015 pic.twitter.com/kYkBvHBkIg
— woetothedownpressors (@butames) July 23, 2015
With Mark Geiger being a school teacher in his spare time I think I will give him a failing grade for this game
— Alex Gumm (@Dynamo_Defender) July 23, 2015
Mark Geiger making it rain with all that corrupt money! #douchebag pic.twitter.com/Ymy82a2y7F
— Erika Ortega (@Erikets) July 23, 2015
WHEN YOU GET WORD THAT THE CHECK YOU SENT TO @CONCACAF WAS CASHED. https://t.co/zi04ImhSNP
— Dr Joe (@FauxDrJoe) July 23, 2015
I guess Concacaf was counting on a #USAvMEX playoff in October to pay all its attorney fees.
— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) July 23, 2015
. @CONCACAF right now: pic.twitter.com/AToGv60v6S
— Brian Anderson (@blyan) July 23, 2015
Well, Mark Geiger is either corrupt or incompetent. Either way he should resign as a referee immediately! @GoldCup @CONCACAF @FIFAcom
— Andy Sharkey (@andysharkey86) July 23, 2015
Mexico gets robbed: "Get over it" "yall were gonna lose anyway" Panama gets robbed: "Wow this is a disgrace" "Concacaf loves Mexico"
— daniel (@fire_emoji) July 23, 2015
When you thought you'd bever watch such a corrupt game, then comes CONCACAF with today's game.
Cuando creías que nunca ibas a volver a ver en robo de tan magnitud, aparece la CONCACAF con el partido de hoy. pic.twitter.com/JOwP6Jc3AQ
— La Dupla Real (@duplaRMCF) July 23, 2015