Supporters of the England national team have flooded to social media on Saturday night, to direct their frustrations firmly at one man.
The Three Lions, of course, are currently locked in action.
After watching all of Croatia, Argentina and, most recently, Morocco book their respective places in the semi-finals of the World Cup, Gareth Southgate’s troops have locked horns with champions France, hopeful of moving to within a solitary game of the biggest fixture in international football.
As things stand in Al Khor, though, it is instead France who are on course for the World Cup’s final-4.
This comes owing to a single goal advantage, secured courtesy of a stunning Aurelien Tchouameni effort from 25 yards:
Advantage France
A stunning strike from Aurélien Tchouaméni to give France the lead against England#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/v1tkF6Z2eD
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022
Amid what has proven an altogether frustrating evening for England to date, though, it is not their country’s players, nor the so oft scrutinised Gareth Southgate, who have been most widely targeted by the Three Lions faithful.
Owing to a series of questionable decisions, including a missed potential foul in the buildup to Tchouameni’s opener, referee Wilton Sampaio has been slammed, widely accused of bias in favour of the French.
Check out the best of the English social media fury below:
I can’t believe that Saka foul that wasn’t given. What a mistake by the referee
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) December 10, 2022
@FIFAWorldCup did the #ARGNED match use up all the free kicks yesterday? This referee is shocking. #ENGFRA
— Big Mike Babsky (@mrbigvanilla) December 10, 2022
France’s tactic to keep Saka quiet? Foul him.
Referees clearly support France here. #FIFAWorldCup— Aditya Katoch (@iamagooner94) December 10, 2022
So apparently u can foul Saka at any opportunity and get away with it. Calm
— Tribal Chief
(@osowxvyy) December 10, 2022
Is the referee from Argentina
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) December 10, 2022
This referee is a professional. How???
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) December 10, 2022
Yes, the referee didn’t even give a foul for this pic.twitter.com/CiddbtWnmT
— Has the Referee or VAR made a poor decision? (@PoorEPLreferees) December 10, 2022
The referee when England gets obviously fouled #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/L1TbEQE66a
— Gabby (@gabbytweets20) December 10, 2022
How are you stopping the game for that, while we have possession in the final third….
I know I’m bias here, but this ref has been laughable.
— ImADuckQuackk (@ImADuckQuackk) December 10, 2022
Ffffsss ref stopping the game. Disgrace this ref
— Sam Jones (@mrsamjones88) December 10, 2022
How tf is this not a foul. The ref is a disgrace pic.twitter.com/GSPeYqRTin
— 17 (@DxBruyneSZN) December 10, 2022
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