Big controversy around Djamel Haimoudi, the Algerian referee appointed to officiate the knockout round match on Tuesday between Belgium and the United States. It is the Belgian media which launched the first alarm finding abnormal that FIFA appoint an arbitrator of the same nationality as the country with which they played in group stage. The Devils and Algeria played in group H.

And the United States were quick to denounce the appointment. “This Algerian referee (Djamel Haimoudi) speaks French. He may talk Belgians in their language. I hope it will not be a problem “, told Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. coach at a press conference. “He has done very well in the two matches he has led so far, but I’m not happy. He comes from a country that was playing in the same group as Belgium (who defeated Algeria 2-1 ed.) He speaks French. And Algeria is the country we had removed during a previous World Cup. I let him benefit of the doubt. But I do not understand Fifa, although it must be difficult to choose the right referee “, concluded the German coach.

Aged 43, Haimoudi will officiate his 3rd meeting in the World Cup after Australia / Netherlands (2-3), June 18, and Costa Rica / England (0-0), June 24.