Milorad Mazic

PTV - The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has officially complained to FIFA over poor decisions from Serbian referee Milorad Mazic during Group F fixture of the 2014 FIFA World Cup between Iran and Argentina.


In a letter sent to the international governing body for soccer on Sunday evening, the federation said the 41-year-old did not point to the spot in the 64th minute of the match played at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, when Iranian midfielder Ashkan Dejagah was taken down inside Argentina’s area by Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta.

“Billions of people worldwide watched the game. We played very well against Argentina, but unfortunately the referee’s mistake altered the outcome of the game and helped the Argentine side edge past us,” Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, general secretary of Iran’s football federation said.

Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz questioned how the referee in Saturday's 1-0 World Cup loss to Argentina will be able to sleep at night after ignoring the penalty.

"It should have been a penalty and red card. There's no excuse. There's nothing that can explain (why) this Serbian referee (did) not give the penalty," Queiroz told reporters after the game.

"How can this guy sleep tonight, or for the rest of his life?" Queiroz continued. "With all respect, I would like to have the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Why did he do that to us?"

Argentina earned a hard-fought victory over Iran. After the regulation time of 90 minutes ran out, Lionel Messi scored on a long shot from behind the penalty area that flew a few centimeters over Iranian keeper Alireza Haghighi’s hands and into the net.
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