World Cup: Star slams Paraguay and referee as 'disgrace' for dirty play

Paraguay's World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to France, a match marred by accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct from the Paraguayan team. Throughout the game, Paraguayan players were seen employing numerous small tactics, including collisions, kicking, and elbowing, which drew significant criticism.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, now a commentator, did not hold back in his assessment of Paraguay's performance. He labeled their play a "disgrace" and stated that he would remove such players from his team if they were his teammates. Hart also extended his criticism to the referee, calling his officiating equally disgraceful for allowing the rough play to continue unchecked.

"Paraguay's performance is a disgrace. If they were my teammates, I would drag them off the field. I would never want to win this way, and the referee's performance is also a disgrace," Hart declared.

Another prominent English football figure, Micah Richards, echoed the sentiment, expressing embarrassment at the spectacle. He argued that Paraguay, known for its strong defense, did not need to resort to such tactics. The match saw France receive three yellow cards, while Paraguay, despite its aggressive style, was not shown any yellow cards, a disparity that fueled further debate about the referee's decisions and the nature of the game played.