Aussie football fans have lashed out at the referee during the Socceroos’ devastating World Cup loss to Egypt, claiming he’s biased against the team because he’s Uruguayan.
The Socceroos have a rivalry with Uruguay that dates back to the South Americans’ tour Down Under in 1974, capped off by the Aussies’ famous win in Sydney in 2005, which sent them through to the World Cup thanks to John Aloisi’s penalty.
Referee Gustavo Tejera was the subject of the conspiracy theory as fans reacted to what they saw as Egyptian players being rewarded for diving and milking fouls while the Socceroos were denied free kicks.
Assistant referee Carlos Barreiro, another Uruguayan, was also officiating in the match in Dallas.
‘No big deal guys, but the officiating crew for the @Socceroos v Egypt game is Uruguayan … Self fulfilling prophecy … this Uruguayan referee is on his 2005 revenge arc,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘Everyone on earth knew that an Uruguayan referee meant Australia would be stitched up. Just a horrendous job. From the missed corner, to Bos being hacked at for 45 mins,’ added another, referring to the referees not calling a foul when Jordan Bos had to be carried off the field after a hard tackle.
Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera (pictured) was the subject of a fan conspiracy theory as he took control of Australia’s World Cup knockout match against Egypt
Tejera and his countryman, assistant referee Carlos Barreiro, were accused of bias as supporters brought up the countries’ long-standing football rivalry
Some fans lashed out after there was no foul called when Socceroos star Jordan Bos was carried off the field after a hard tackle that left him unable to continue (pictured)
‘These cheating Uruguayan refs, you knew it would happen,’ a third commented.
‘So Jordy Bos is carried off, his tournament is probably done and the ref says that’s ok. And of course he’s from Uruguay … this might be payback,’ wrote another supporter.
‘Everyone on earth knew that an Uruguayan referee meant Australia would be stitched up,’ commented a fifth fan.
Another Socceroos diehard congratulated SBS caller David Basheer for ‘slipping into commentary [that] the ref is from Uruguay’.
‘This s**t goes back to 1974 when they almost killed our star player in a friendly before our first ever World Cup, ended his career,’ added another fan, referring to Aussie star Ray Baartz unable to move his left arm and leg after Uruguay’s Luis Garisto hit him in the neck.
The Socceroos’ rivalry with the Uruguayans was also fuelled when the South Americans beat them in the 2001 playoff for a World Cup spot.
Australia won the first leg 1-0 in Melbourne, but the return leg in Montevideo saw them get smashed 3-0 after a highly controversial lead-up to the game.
The Socceroos were confronted by an angry mob of around 50 fans kicked and punched the stars as well as abusing and spitting on them as they tried to leave the airport on arrival.
Pictured: Socceroos stars react during the penalty shootout that sealed their fate in Dallas
Pictured: John Aloisi celebrates after sending Australia through to the 2006 World Cup with a famous win over Uruguay in Sydney
The wild scenes after Aloisi’s goal (pictured) came after Uruguay ruined the Socceroos’ World Cup dream in controversial circumstances in 2001
The incident resulted in Uruguay’s ambassador to Australia announcing his deep regret over the wild scenes, with officials from the national team issuing an apology.
Socceroos coach Frank Farina was photographed wiping spit off his face after the attack.
The shocking scenes also produced an infamous image for Aussie fans as star Tony Vidmar was shown breaking down in uncontrollable tears as he left the field after the loss.
Many Aussie fans railed against the officiating in the Egypt match without referencing the fact two of the officials were from Uruguay.
They claimed Egyptian players were constantly rewarded for diving and acting in order to get fouls called, while the Aussies were ignored by officials when they had a genuine case.
Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed penalties against Egypt as the Socceroos failed to make history as the first Aussie team to win a knockout match at a World Cup.
