Haiti fans call ‘foul’ after 1-0 loss to Scotland in World Cup opener

BOSTON — In the overnight hours after Haiti’s 1-0 loss to Scotland, Haitian fans and analysts argued that the referee’s calls hamstrung Les Grenadiers and helped the Scottish team.

Over social media, frustrated and outright angry fans took to listing their grievances, mainly that Haiti should have been awarded two penalty kicks when Scot defender Grant Hanley appeared to intentionally hand the ball in the box in the 73rd and 79th minute.

Fans also said referee Mustapha Ghorbal should have at least utilized Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to review the plays. They think Scot defender Kenny McLean should have been sent off when he kicked Haitian winger Josué Casimir in the knee in the 95th minute.

Earlier in the evening during the first half, fans in the stands grumbled about what they saw as a clear red flag when Scottish defender Aaron Hickey appeared to grab the arm of Haitian winger Ruben Providence and twist his jersey in the first half. Providence retaliated by shoving Hickey, and the referees inflicted Haiti with a foul.

Haiti fans booed and grumbled at the time, believing it was early yet in the match, and the game moved on with no challenges.

Later in the evening, as the frustrating loss set in, soccer fans and analysts across the world took to social media to revive the bad calls and accuse the referees, and FIFA at large, of racism against Haiti. They said Ghorbal should have blown his whistle against Scotland when Hickey initially grabbed Providence.

While the backlash brewed, some fans say Haiti missing several shots is ultimately responsible more than the calls.

Haiti supporter Walden Saint-Juste said Les Grenadiers seemed “nervous” at the beginning of the game and that he hopes with those jitters out of the way, the team will prevail in the next two matches.

“I know a lot of people say that we were cheated,” Saint-Juste said. “There was probably one penalty where I thought that it was unfair, but to be honest, I think the Haitian players were a little too nervous. 

“Scotland was on defense most of the game, so really, Haiti was the better team,” he added. It’s just that we got to work on making our goals.”

“We had a couple of kicks at the goal that just didn’t go our way,” he added. “You know, in soccer, a lot of penalties are missed. Next week, when Haiti takes us to Brazil, the nerves are out and then they’re ready to play.”

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