This is taking it too far from the Iraqi’s. Wishing death and consequences on a ref is too far for a call that we don’t actually know what exactly it was for.
Yes, it impacted the game, but that game was still in their control at 2-1, and they lost it themselves at 3-2.
We need to hear from the AFC referees panel as to what the second yellow card was for exactly, because I can’t wrap my head around it.
1: You can’t give a yellow card for someone taking too long to celebrate, just add time on the clock!! It’s a big moment, let them celebrate!!
2: If Alireza believed that a offensive celebration happened, it is not the refs place to determine if that is offensive or not, as just say it was a European referee they are unlikely to notice this, as Alireza is Iranian he might know gestures the European wouldn’t.
In that case, if it is for any of those two reasons, I myself would be unhappy to say the least if that happened to me, as I said, it is not a referees place to make that call, as it is not consistent with what other referees would call.
As a young ref myself who is getting towards pro level in the future, I now know, not to referee at Asian international tournaments (in the 0.1% chance I get there) because this type of behaviour from fans is unacceptable and would not go so far if say it was in Europe.
I agree that referees need to be held accountable to decisions, and this requires the referee panel to speak up and state what the offense was, whether it was the “correct” call or not. However preaching death and suffering for someone is too far.
