Antonio Mateu Lahoz, a controversial La Liga referee was given a guard of honor after taking charge of Osasuna's victory over Almeria on Saturday, 13th of May.
Mateu Lahoz is expected to retire at the end of the season and the Spanish La Liga club Osasuna decided to give some respect to the match official after their win.
The 46-year-old Spanish International referee has become popular throughout the football world for his card-happy officiating which has provoked, entertained, and frustrated supporters over the years.
Antonio Mateu Lahoz is leaving after a disappointing year. He was kicked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after Argentina's victory against the Netherlands, in which he refereed and issued 15 yellow cards, a red card, and frustrated many players.
After the game, Lionel Messi was furious and called the referee 'not up to the task'.
The next day, on New Year's Eve, Lahoz presided over the derby between Barça and Espanyol, where he set a La Liga record by issuing 15 yellow cards and four red cards (one of which was later overturned).
Afterward, Xavi commented that Antonio Mateu Lahoz had lost control of the game by randomly issuing cards.
The referee is hanging it up after this season, which means coaches like Xavi won't get to spend much more time with him.
Antonio Mateu Lahoz guard of honor;
During week 34 of the La Liga season, Lahoz, a Physical Education teacher in addition to his officiating duties, officiated a game between Osasuna and Almeria at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona.
As the experienced official entered the field, the home team formed two parallel lines of supporters to greet and applaud him.
The 46-year-old referee gave individual hugs to each member of the Osasuna team before departing the field.
It will be one of the last games Lahoz will officiate in La Liga, where he has spent the last 15 years of his professional career.
What's next for Antonio Mateu Lahoz?
The Spanish referee will call it quit at the end of the current campaign. Since 2008, he has been competing at the highest level and has officiated several major tournaments.
There will be four more league matches in Spain after this weekend. Whether or not the 46-year-old official will continue to work is an open question.
Among European referees, Lahoz is often considered to be among the best in the world.
The 2021 Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea, for instance, was officiated by him. In addition, the Spaniard had participated in three World Cups.
Mateu Lahoz's stats this season;
He has taken charge of 21 matches so far this season though, with 12 of those coming in La Liga, he has issued 16 yellow cards with 2 reds so far this campaign.
Mateu Lahoz's salary;
The 46-year-old referee earns 12,500 euros a month, and he reportedly earns 4,200 euros for every single match he officiates.
Mateu Lahoz's net worth;
According to reports, the Spaniard is reportedly worth one million dollars.
Who's Mateu Lahoz?
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz is a Spanish association football referee who has refereed La Liga matches since 2008. He is also an international referee with experience in several editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz age;
Lahoz was born on the 12th of March, 1977, in Algímia d'Alfara, Valencia, Spain.
Mateu Lahoz's career;
Mateu Lahoz has been a referee in La Liga since 2008. Since then, he's become one of Spain's most respected referees.
Among Spanish football fans, Mateu Lahoz's lack of reaction to the action during games, followed by his odd conversations with players and contentious calls, has earned him a reputation as a polarizing figure.
He has been an official with FIFA's international matches since 2011, in addition to officiating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia (and its qualifiers).
He has also worked as an official at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, the UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Mateu Lahoz is expected to retire at the end of the season and the Spanish La Liga club Osasuna decided to give some respect to the match official after their win.
The 46-year-old Spanish International referee has become popular throughout the football world for his card-happy officiating which has provoked, entertained, and frustrated supporters over the years.
Antonio Mateu Lahoz is leaving after a disappointing year. He was kicked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after Argentina's victory against the Netherlands, in which he refereed and issued 15 yellow cards, a red card, and frustrated many players.
After the game, Lionel Messi was furious and called the referee 'not up to the task'.
The next day, on New Year's Eve, Lahoz presided over the derby between Barça and Espanyol, where he set a La Liga record by issuing 15 yellow cards and four red cards (one of which was later overturned).
Afterward, Xavi commented that Antonio Mateu Lahoz had lost control of the game by randomly issuing cards.
The referee is hanging it up after this season, which means coaches like Xavi won't get to spend much more time with him.
Antonio Mateu Lahoz guard of honor;
During week 34 of the La Liga season, Lahoz, a Physical Education teacher in addition to his officiating duties, officiated a game between Osasuna and Almeria at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona.
As the experienced official entered the field, the home team formed two parallel lines of supporters to greet and applaud him.
The 46-year-old referee gave individual hugs to each member of the Osasuna team before departing the field.
It will be one of the last games Lahoz will officiate in La Liga, where he has spent the last 15 years of his professional career.
What's next for Antonio Mateu Lahoz?
The Spanish referee will call it quit at the end of the current campaign. Since 2008, he has been competing at the highest level and has officiated several major tournaments.
There will be four more league matches in Spain after this weekend. Whether or not the 46-year-old official will continue to work is an open question.
Among European referees, Lahoz is often considered to be among the best in the world.
The 2021 Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea, for instance, was officiated by him. In addition, the Spaniard had participated in three World Cups.
Mateu Lahoz's stats this season;
He has taken charge of 21 matches so far this season though, with 12 of those coming in La Liga, he has issued 16 yellow cards with 2 reds so far this campaign.
Mateu Lahoz's salary;
The 46-year-old referee earns 12,500 euros a month, and he reportedly earns 4,200 euros for every single match he officiates.
Mateu Lahoz's net worth;
According to reports, the Spaniard is reportedly worth one million dollars.
Who's Mateu Lahoz?
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz is a Spanish association football referee who has refereed La Liga matches since 2008. He is also an international referee with experience in several editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz age;
Lahoz was born on the 12th of March, 1977, in Algímia d'Alfara, Valencia, Spain.
Mateu Lahoz's career;
Mateu Lahoz has been a referee in La Liga since 2008. Since then, he's become one of Spain's most respected referees.
Among Spanish football fans, Mateu Lahoz's lack of reaction to the action during games, followed by his odd conversations with players and contentious calls, has earned him a reputation as a polarizing figure.
He has been an official with FIFA's international matches since 2011, in addition to officiating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia (and its qualifiers).
He has also worked as an official at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, the UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.