Portugal defender Pepe has suggested that Lionel Messi's comments on Friday played a part in the Argentine referee's display in their defeat to Morocco.
A Selecao missed out on a spot in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after losing 1-0 to the Atlas Lions, who advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Messi made some remarks about the referee's performance in Argentina's win over the Netherlands on Friday night, but Pep feels those comments did have an effect on Argentinian referee Facundo Tello's game on Saturday.
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"We dominated the game 100 percent of the time," Pepe said, as per ESPN.
"I think what the referee did today; this is an Argentinian referee. After what Messi said yesterday it seems there's something very weird.
"We couldn't play in the second half because the referee kept stopping the game.
"I'm very angry, very angry because the referee didn't let us play."
Fellow Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes echoed Pepe's remarks about the Argentine referee after the loss to Morocco.
"I don't know if they're going to give the cup to Argentina," Fernandes added.
"I don't care, I'm going to say what I think and screw them.
It's very strange that a referee from a team that's still in the cup officiates us. They've clearly tilted the field against us."
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