Uzbek referee Tantashev sidelined from World Cup and major international competitions

Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev will not direct any more matches at this World Cup, and his removal could extend to upcoming major international competitions. FIFA should thus draw conclusions from his heavily criticized performance during the round-of-16 France-Paraguay match on Saturday in Philadelphia.

A wave of outrage followed the match played at Lincoln Financial Field. Tantashev had shown great leniency toward the Paraguayans despite repeated fouls and unsporting conduct, while France finished the match with three yellow cards. The Guarani, meanwhile, received no yellow cards.

Former international referee Saïd Ennjimi, interviewed by L’Équipe, recalled the limits of the disciplinary framework applicable in such matters: “In terms of refereeing, there is no real sanction other than a lack of assignment for the rest of the tournament.” But he added that FIFA should nevertheless take action: “Fortunately, there were no major consequences, no injuries, nor a reversal of the score in favor of Paraguay. But one can think that Mr. Tantashev has very little chance of reappearing, not only at this World Cup but at another major international competition.”

For Tantashev, this World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico was a first. The Uzbek referee had already officiated at the Olympic Games two years ago, notably at the whistle of the quarter-final between France’s youth team and Argentina (1-0), a match marked by ten yellow cards and the expulsion of Enzo Millot late in the match. Before France-Paraguay, he had refereed two group matches in this tournament: Scotland-Morocco and Austria-Algeria.