Football actors have distanced themselves from former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s comments, which presume that the Qatar World Cup was rigged in favour of Lionel Messi.
The Argentine superstar led his country to a first-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the Netherlands coach has argued that it was predetermined.
While speaking at the Eredivisie award ceremony on Tuesday night, Van Gaal pointed out that his team’s quarter-final encounter against Argentina was “premeditated”.
“You see, it was 2-2. There was extra time and there was penalties. But when you see how Argentina got their goals, and how we got our goals, and how some players from Argentina overstepped the mark and weren’t punished; Yeah, then I think it was all planned” the coach said.
Netherlands national team players including captain, Vigil van Dijk, have distanced themselves from the coach’s claims.
“He can say what he wants, it’s his opinion, but I do not agree with him and I don’t share the same opinion” the Liverpool defender said.
The coach has insisted that he stands by his word, “I mean everything that I said”.
Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s second goal in the encounter against the Netherlands which ended 4-3 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw.
The South American side later humbled Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final, before inflicting a 4-2 defeat on France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in the final.
Messi lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time, with Argentina clinching a third title.
