sport news Bruno Fernandes and Pepe accuse ref Facundo Tello of bias after Portugal's ... trends now Bruno Fernandes and Pepe accuse ref Facundo Tello of bias after Portugal's defeat by Morocco, insisting it's wrong for him to take charge while Argentina are still in the World Cup and slam his ability because 'he doesn't referee in the Champions League' By Julian Bovill For Mailonline Published: 18:24 GMT, 10 December 2022 | Updated: 18:27 GMT, 10 December 2022 Viewcomments Veteran Portugal centre-back Pepe and team-mate Bruno Fernandes have taken aim at FIFA's decision to appoint Argentine referee Facundo Tello to their quarter-final clash with Morocco. Portugal became the latest major footballing nation to fall at the 2022 Qatar World Cup as Morocco became the first one African - and Arab - country to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Speaking after the game, the 39-year-old defender referenced the scenes following Argentina's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Holland as apparent reason that the trophy should be given to the nation now. Pepe was one of a number of Portugal players to surround the referee at the final whistle Lionel Messi, Emi Martinez and various other members of the Argentina squad criticised referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for his performance in Friday's quarter-final. The Argentine goalkeeper, Martinez, accused Lahoz of wanting Holland to advance. 'Hopefully we don't have that ref anymore... He's useless! Van Gaal said they have an advantage if it goes to penalties, he needs to keep his mouth shut,' he told BeIN SPORTS. The Spaniard referee dished out 18 yellow cards, with FIFA investigating the conduct of both sides. Portugal's players grew frustrated with the referee but he appeared to give them an opening when he sent off Walid Cheddira 'We conceded a goal that we didn't expect. But I have to say: it's unacceptable for an Argentine to referee our game,' Pepe said. 'After what happened yesterday, with Messi speaking. All of Argentina speaking and an Argentine referee comes to whistle. After what I saw today, they can give the title to Argentina now.' Fernandes echoed his team-mate's sentiments, saying the referee's decision not to award him a penalty was particularly incredulous. Pepe marched over the officials at the end and doubled down on his actions in his post-match comments 'Don't touch me, I'll say what I have to say,' said the midfielder. 'It's very strange to have a referee who still has the their national team in competition and we don't have a Portuguese referee. 'Ours referee the Champions League, so they have the quality and level to be here. They don't referee Champions League, they are not used to this type of game, they don't have the pace for this. 'They clearly leaned the field. In the first half there is a clear penalty on me. I am isolated and never in my life will I let myself fall when I am alone in front of the goalkeeper and I can shoot on goal in a situation like that.' Cristiano Ronaldo pled with the referee to give them something as his final chance at winning the World Cup appeared to flitter away Pepe's exact reasoning for criticising Tello's appointment is unclear, but Portugal's links with Brazil - Argentina's great rival - could be the reason. The defender himself was born and grew up in Brazil until he moved across the Atlantic at 18. Meanwhile, Morocco's players celebrated wildly while Portugal's were left to rue missed opportunities. Cristiano Ronaldo was filmed crying as he headed down the tunnel in his 196th - and perhaps final - Portugal appearance. Morocco's players were left in emotional heaps on the ground as they struggled to come to terms with the weight of their achievement Speaking after the finest moment in their country's footballing history, Sofyan Amrabat said they 'deserved it 1000 per cent'. 'It's really, really, really unbelievable. I'm so proud. We deserve this 1000 per cent,' he said. 'That's just how we fight and how play, with our heart, for our country and for our people. We had some injuries and to have three defenders go in and defend like that, big respect. Big respect for everybody - for the fans, for the coach, for everyone.' Morocco will play either England or France in the semi-finals. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility