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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

England vs France referee's Wikipedia changed during World Cup 2022 controversy

England fans changed referee Wilton Sampaio's Wikipedia page following a series of questionable decisions in their gutting World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

The Brazilian official firstly didn't award England with a foul during the build-up to France's opening goal in the Three Lions' narrow 2-1 loss, as Bukayo Saka went tumbling over after a challenge from Dayot Upamecano. And it was the French defender involved again as Harry Kane was blatantly brought down around the edge of the penalty area shortly after, yet Sampaio bizarrely didn't even award a free-kick to Gareth Southgate 's side.

Wasting no time to ridicule the referee, fans altered his Wikipedia bio to read: "Wilton Pereira Sampaio (born 28 December 1981) in Teresina de Goias, Goias, Brazil) is a French fan and Brazilian football referee. He was recently offered sexual favours by [Kylian] Mbappe for favourable decisions to France."

England were furious with Wilton Sampaio's decisions throughout the match (The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Sampaio was at the centre of controversy as soon as the 17th minute, as Aurelien Tchouameni gave the French an early lead at the Al Bayt Stadium. His long-range strike beat the outstretched Jordan Pickford, but England weren't pleased that Saka appeared to have been taken down 45 seconds before the ball flew into the net.

The Three Lions responded well, though, probing France's box and eventually having a penalty shout thanks to Upamecano's clumsy attempt to stop Kane charging into the box. The Bayern Munich defended ended up in a tangle with the England captain, but VAR must've deemed that the incident took place outside of the penalty area.

Kane wouldn't have to wait long after half-time to get his penalty, however, as Tchouameni turned from hero to villain when he blatantly clipped Saka. The Tottenham Hotspur striker lashed it home and emphatically made it 1-1, and the Three Lions looked to be in the ascendancy searching for the next goal of the game.

England fans had fun on Wikipedia as they lost 2-1 to France (Wikipedia)
Wilton Sampaio felt the heat after his questionable decisions (Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Have your say! Was Saka fouled in the build-up to France's goal? Join the debate in the comments section.

But plenty more drama was to come, as despite France struggling to get a grip for the fiercely-contested encounter for large periods, Les Blues found a way back in front through record goalscorer Olivier Giroud. His glancing header took Antonio Griezmann 's deliciously angled ball into the net, meaning that England had to dust themselves down once more.

And they certainly did, with substitute Mason Mount making an instant impact. The Chelsea star drew a rash foul from Les Blues left-backs Theo Hernandez and this time VAR did instruct Sampaio to check his original call of no penalty.

The Brazilian pointed to the spot after a brief look back, but Kane stunningly blazed the ball over the bar. The Three Lions looked crestfallen from then on and Didier Deschamps' men saw the game out to reach the semi-finals, where they'll face Morocco next Wednesday.

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