Mateu Lahoz: The referee who has shown 1,542 yellow cards

Following the heated Netherlands-Argentina World Cup quarterfinal match, the name Antonio Mateu Lahoz has become a central topic of discussion in the football world. While the spotlight is usually on the players, in this match, it was the 45-year-old Spanish referee who stole the headlines. Lahoz managed to issue an astonishing 18 yellow cards during the match, involving both players and coaching staff, which has raised questions about his refereeing style.

During the game, Lahoz issued yellow cards to 9 Argentine players and a staff member, as well as to 8 Dutch players. To top it off, he also gave a red card to the Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries during the penalty shootout. This excessive card showing led to frustration on both sides, with Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez, and Frenkie de Jong publicly criticizing Lahoz's performance. Messi described him as a referee who "was not up to the task," while Martínez accused Lahoz of trying to gain attention through his controversial decisions.

But this tendency to display cards in large numbers wasn't something that emerged suddenly. Antonio Mateu Lahoz has long had a reputation in La Liga and European football for his frequent use of cards. Fans of Spanish football know him well for his regular presence in big matches, including high-stakes encounters like El Clásico. He is highly regarded by the Spanish Football Federation, which often assigns him to officiate these crucial matches, but his methods have not always been well-received by players or fans.

Since beginning his career, Lahoz has refereed 334 matches across major tournaments, including La Liga, the Champions League, Europa League, and international competitions like the World Cup and the Euros. Across these games, he has shown a staggering total of 1,542 yellow cards, averaging 4.62 per game. He has also sent off 67 players with red cards and blown his whistle for fouls an average of 24.66 times per match. His numbers in La Liga are equally high, where he has officiated 253 matches and shown 1,223 yellow cards, averaging nearly 5 per game, and 61 red cards.

Lahoz's refereeing style is marked by his tendency to take control of matches with frequent whistles and cards, and the recent World Cup quarterfinal was no exception. During the tournament, Lahoz refereed 5 matches, showing 30 yellow cards, averaging 6 per game. No other contemporary referee comes close to his penchant for issuing cards at this rate. 

Lahoz's approach to refereeing seems to embody an old-school style, where discipline and control are exerted through penalties and cards rather than allowing players to express themselves on the field. This has placed him in stark contrast to other referees who favor a more lenient style of officiating, letting the game flow with fewer interruptions. His reputation for blowing the whistle at every perceived foul and reaching for his pocket frequently has made him a controversial figure in football, as many players and pundits see this as detrimental to the spirit of the game.

Despite his track record, the backlash from the Netherlands-Argentina match may have significant consequences for Lahoz's future on the international stage. His performance was so widely criticized that it is now doubtful whether FIFA will assign him to any more high-profile matches in the World Cup or other global tournaments. His reputation for handing out yellow cards like confetti may have finally caught up with him, putting an end to what some players would call his "yellow card festivals."