Referee could be banned from World Cup for asking Messi for autograph

Any sign of favoritism and/or admiration for a club or a player can result in very serious sanctions for a referee's career. This week, for example, Mexican Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava was banned from refereeing Concacaf games for the next six months after asking for Messi's autograph at the final whistle of Inter Miami's victory on the 19th. And, according to the international media, the punishment is not expected to stop there.

The North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football (CONCACAF) has suspended the Mexican for an action incompatible "with the association's code of conduct". In this sense, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Marco Antonio - culminating in his suspension for the next six months.

The judge claims that it was an autograph intended for a "family member with special needs." In any case, ESPN released the news of his suspension this week. Ortiz has refereed more than 200 soccer matches in his career and has been on the FIFA World Association list for the past six years.

🚨 @ESPNDeportes reports that Mexican referee Marco Antonio 'Gato' Ortíz will be sanctioned from CONCACAF after asking Lionel Messi for an autograph "for a family member with special needs" after @SportingKC vs Inter Miami by @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/uhD5YjKjFS

— Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) February 21, 2025

More severe penalty

According to 'La Razón', Ortiz had a palpable chance of appearing on the refereeing list for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico - his homeland. However, according to former Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez, this incident will certainly cost him his participation in the main football tournament on the planet.

"He will definitely miss the Club World Cup and the Gold Cup this summer. Almost certain. The fact that he can still work as a referee in Liga MX is the only consolation for Ortiz. It is not known whether he received at least minimal compensation for the suspension with Messi's autograph requested," assessed the former professional.

Marco Rodríguez stands out as one of Mexico's top referees, with 51 matches in six World Cups under his belt.

Recent referee controversies

This is not the first time that Marco Antonio Ortiz has found himself at the center of controversy in football. Just a few weeks ago, he was directly involved in another case that had a huge impact locally. This was because the video of a questionable push by the referee on Monterrey's number 10, 50 minutes into the match, went viral and divided opinions in Mexican football.

At the same moment he was preparing to show the yellow card, Ortiz raised his left arm to the player's shoulder, in a clear sign of physical contact. The number 10 even acted surprised by the referee's action, and the incident became a topic of discussion in the sports media for days.

If Canales were too strong, he would face a huge penalty. But this is Marco Antonio Ortiz's shame. Feel protected by the FMF and the Arbitration Commission.

pic.twitter.com/5w6PHwRHKv

— César Rivas (@C_Rivas14) February 2, 2025

Ortiz had already faced Gustavo Cabral in the match between Pachuca and Mazatlán last season. His history, therefore, weighed in on the assessment of the most recent case.

Lionel Messi's victory

Inter Miami won the game in question 1-0 over Sporting KC, with a goal from the number 10, in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League. The Argentine star scored again in the 3-1 triumph on Tuesday night, the 25th, in the second leg at Chase Stadium. Tadeo Allende and Suárez rounded out the scoring for the qualifiers.

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