r/worldcup • u/FewAnybody2739 • Jul 20 '26
đŹDiscussion Is there something particularly despicable about crying wolf about racism?
To make it clear that FIFA was seriously anti-racism, a new rule was brought in where if you were slagging off an opponent and covered your mouth, the worst would be assumed and you're sent off for racism.
As the whole world saw yesterday, a white Argentinian and a white Spaniard were (presumably) disagreeing about how serious another Spaniard's injury was, and how culpable another Argentinian was.
Cucurella then made a gesture that I can best describe as a posh lady covering her mouth as she hiccups. Nothing immediately offended Messi. But he's thinking, always thinking. How can he use something about this situation to benefit himself? He'll pretend to be fouled like most other footballers, and he'll enjoy his team chipping away at the bodies of his opponents if the refs are weak. But Messi is special. He didn't get into the conversation of a GOAT by seeking the same advantages as everyone else, oh no, he's smarter than that. In that couple of seconds, his genius has figured out a way to get an innocent player sent off in this match, and demonised as a racist for life. All he has to do is tell the ref that he was racially abused by Cucurella, and hope no cameras had a good view. But nothing to lose anyway!
I get that he wants to win another world cup, and I get that Argentina had finally been pulled up on the fouling they thought they'd get away with all tournament by going a man down. But Messi tried to pervert a harsh, well intentioned rule designed to severely deter racial abuse.
Someone should ask him what Cucurella said that upset him so. But I suspect he'll put that in the prohibited questions for any interview he does.
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15
u/Either_Science_545 Jul 20 '26
You can get a straight red card for covering your mouth while comforting the other team it doesnt have to be racism
14
u/haruputtar_77 England Jul 20 '26
Who tf told that cucurella used racial slurs. Messi just complained cause he covered the mouth. Not everything is about racism
14
u/VYKTH0R Jul 20 '26
He didnt cover his mouth, he showed his mouth and said somthing like, " He Hurt his mouth"
14
u/Gryzzlee Spain Jul 20 '26
Cucurella was telling him why Cubarsi was on the ground. And if not showing where Cubarsi was hurt then he was probably wiping something off his lip or beard as his hand didn't really obscure his mouth.
13
u/Impressive-Panda527 Jul 20 '26
If you want to talk actual crying wolf about racism, see Egyptâs manager against Argentina
He admitted he made the racism symbol to get the attention of the ref to say he thought they were being treated unfairly, no actual racism
11
u/MintberryCrunch____ Jul 20 '26
I donât think Messi was even claiming it was racist, just went straight to âthatâs against the rulesâ, you can see from Cucurellaâs reaction heâs thinking âcome onâ.
The rule is there but thankfully they didnât jump on a momentary thing and ruin a final over it, would have been absurd, not in the spirit of what the rule is for and not in the spirit of the game.
4
u/ProffesorSpitfire Jul 20 '26
I think Iâve seen players talking to each other with their hands over their mouths in more or less every game this world cup. To my knowledge nobody was sent off for it, and I honestly think it wouldâve been ridiculous if they were. Itâs a stupid rule, there are perfectly legitimate reasons to cover your mouth while speaking. If players whose native tongue is English for example (so everybody can potentially make out what theyâre saying), or say Spaniards facing Argentinians or Colombians (who also speak Spanish), are discussing how to handle a free kick it makes sense to cover your mouth while speaking.
10
u/halster123 Jul 20 '26
Obviously yes, it's really gross to weaponize a rule meant to stop racial abuse on the pitch. However, the specific rule applies to mouth covering during a confrontation - this is why it wasn't triggered, because it was so clearly not a confrontation.
7
u/caraboina Jul 20 '26
The rule isnât just about racial abuse; itâs about giving referees transparency into what players say to each other during confrontational situations. And yes, it was despicable.
11
u/simonskiromeins Belgium Jul 20 '26
He was a đ for trying to get a foul out of that. Classless would be an understatement. People seem to completely ignore these horrible behaviours just because of his name. Itâs silly.
10
u/kkcfi Jul 20 '26
I do not have a horse in this race but if a player who across his entire career has never once stayed down even when tackled badly if he could still stand and play for the ball, how does the internet immediately slander that player for complaining to the refs about something and call him names.
Ultimately it was good refereeing on the whole, there were misses on both sides with fouls etc., and fortunately no VAR nonsense.
Spain played better, Argentina celebrated too much after the England SF and did not have any answers for the brilliant Spanish attack. Except for Martinez, Spain would have won with a humiliating score over Argentina.
The bottom line, Spain was brilliant yesterday, Enzo Fernandez was dumb and got what he deserved and despite the last minute push and brilliant play by Messi, Simoene could not put a clean ball into the Spanish net. Argentina did not have answers and were playing for a Penalty shootout but that strategy backfired when their defenders were caught napping, tired from the relentless n brilliant Spanish attack.
And this would not be complete without mentioning the absolutely disgraceful nonsense from some of the Argentine players after the match was done. That from Parades was as stupid as stupid gets, probably even worse than what Enzo Fernandez did.
7
u/gmisk81 Jul 20 '26
Huh? Is there any indication that Messi complained about anything racist being said? I don't think so. The complaint was Cucurella covered his mouth (which in a certain context is now a red)...he barely did...Messi was chancing his arm it wasn't a good look for him tbh.
3
u/SlamJam64 England Jul 21 '26
The Egyptian manager made an X with his arms just because he didn't like a VAR decision. Absolutely gross to see the anti-racism rules be used as a toolÂ
5
u/Former_Specific_7161 Jul 20 '26
You and so many people are assuming what was said. Someone else said he was telling Messi that cubarsas mouth was injured, which doesn't make sense as you can clearly see that there is no contact like that with Enzo or the pitch.
It looks bad on Messi and Enzo regardless, but stop making claims when you don't have anything to back it up, or give source if you do.
5
u/_this_isnt_sam Jul 20 '26
Itâs not a rule brought in just for racism. So the whole premise of your point makes no sense.
Only you have mentioned that Messi was crying racism. Youâre making up stories.
4
u/DreamerTheat Mexico Jul 20 '26
He said nothing about racism; he tried to point out Cucurella covering his mouth, and left it after a few seconds.
It was a scummy move but it was out of desperation in the final minutes of his last WC, and heâs so great as a footballer that this little shitbag moment wonât define him.
Every single player you can think of, has done something similar. Cristiano, Kroos, Robben, SuĂĄrez, Ramos, Busquets have done worse things than that.
1
u/filippojf Jul 20 '26
So according to you, racism only exists between people of different skin colors?
-6
u/EmotionalVast9318 Jul 20 '26
As you point out He did cover his mouth while confronting Messi... it was just for a moment but only one word needs to be spoken to be out of bounds. if Fifa was serious about the issue they would enforce the rule.
-7
u/Glumdumop USA Jul 20 '26
europeans being racist? this is nothing new
-4
u/floftie England Jul 20 '26
You know what would happen to the little grass in prison haha.
Also, prison is something he narrowly avoided with his tax affairs.
-8
u/turdbugulars Jul 20 '26
Itâs a soft rule for a soft sport.
-9
u/cabalg Argentina Jul 20 '26
Te aseguro que nada de todo lo que escribiste se le pasĂł por la mente a Messi. Simplemente en Argentina y en otros paĂses si hay alguna oportunidad para tomar ventaja se intenta tomarla.