Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz expresses discontent over retirement decision from La Liga

Antonio Mateu Lahoz, one of the most controversial referees in Spanish football, has expressed his unhappiness at the decision to retire him from the top flight of Spanish football at the end of this season. Lahoz has been a fixture in the Spanish league for over a decade, having refereed his first La Liga match in 2008, and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2011.

However, his tenure has been marked by numerous controversies, with Lahoz often the subject of criticism from both club officials and supporters. During the 2022 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands, he also drew the ire of fans and players alike.

During Sunday’s match between Real Valladolid and Atletico Madrid, which Lahoz was refereeing, he was seen in conversation with Atletico midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. According to reports from Movistar via Sport, Lahoz appeared to suggest that he was unhappy with the decision to retire him from La Liga.

“I am f*****, but hey, I’m leaving now. They are throwing me out in June,” Lahoz was heard saying.

Lahoz’s retirement from La Liga has been known since earlier this year, and it remains to be seen whether he will continue to referee at a higher level. Despite the controversies that have marked his career, he has also been praised for his ability to control games and make difficult decisions.