“FIFA made a mistake,” he said after the 1-0 draw against Costa Rica in Al Rayyan near Doha.

Referee Mohammed Abdullah of the United Arab Emirates clearly did not have the level that would have been necessary for such a match. Hay said this as a FIFA representative sat next to him on the podium at the post-match press conference.

The video referee also intervened twice and checked the referee’s decisions on the field. With consequences for New Zealanders. The first time, a Chris Wood goal – which could have been the equalizer before the break – was disallowed. The second time, New Zealand substitute Costa Barbarosses received a red card nine minutes ago. “Tough decisions,” Hay said, and when asked if he was frustrated, he replied, “One hundred percent.” (dpa)