Fans believe Morocco were hard done in Wednesday's semi-final clash with France after VAR passed on the opportunity to review two potential penalty calls. The Atlas Lions found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline at half-time but could have been in a position of promise but for the match referee's decision.
The first incident featured Soufiane Boufal and Theo Hernandez, with the latter seemingly clattering into the Moroccan in while trying to get onto a loose ball in his side's penalty box. Instead, Boufal received a yellow card for the incident as France earned a foul.
The second event came right at the end of the first half as both Olivier Giroud and Aurélien Tchouaméni were pictured holding onto two Moroccan players in the penalty box. However, the match referee did not take a second look at the incident as play continued.
Fans have since hit out at the inconsistency of the officials, claiming that Morocco should have benefited from at least one of the calls. Below are some of the reactions:
Morocco should of had a penalty #MoroccoVsFrance
— Pote Galvez (@XtremezDon) December 14, 2022
Morocco were denied 2 penalties!
— All Because (@Yung_Buffer) December 14, 2022
Morocco still in this. Should've had a penalty but somehow got yellow card themselves instead. #FIFAWorldCup #FRAMAR
— andrew (@melatonii) December 14, 2022
Of course they won't give Morocco a penalty for that smh
— Nhlanhla (@iheartnhlanhla) December 14, 2022
That Boufal yellow card was ridiculous. Just saw the replay. That was a penalty for Morocco. Absolutely shameful decision.
— Samer Kadi (@SamerKadi88) December 14, 2022
That was a penalty. No VAR check. The referee is unfair to Morocco .
— Mohamed Ali (@SamanMohamed_) December 14, 2022
theyre rigging it for france bro how did boufal get a booking for that where was Morocco's penalty why is fofana still walking on the field without a yellow card
— ♧ (@aminsocool) December 14, 2022
Morocco been the better team and should've had a penalty. Awful refereeing again
— Liam O'Gorman (@CFC_LOG) December 14, 2022