Said Martinez of Honduras will officiate England’s second Group L match against Ghana on Tuesday, with Walter Lopez and Christian Ramirez as assistants and Ning Ma as fourth official. The 34-year-old referee previously described Cristiano Ronaldo as “very diff
England’s next World Cup test comes with an unusually personal referee history attached.
Said Martinez of Honduras has been appointed to officiate England’s second Group L game against Ghana on Tuesday, with compatriots Walter Lopez and Christian Ramirez serving as his first and second assistant referees and China’s Ning Ma named as the fourth official. The referee is 34.
Martinez’s first World Cup appearance already carried a heavyweight moment: Qatar stunned Switzerland on the opening matchday with a 1-1 draw. and Martinez was in charge when the result was set. His next assignment now places him in the middle of England and Ghana’s campaign—after a trail of flashpoints that includes both Ronaldo and a VAR-related controversy.
The most striking thread goes back to the Saudi Pro League. where Martinez said he clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo and described the Portugal captain as “very difficult due to his temperament.” Speaking to Mexican outlet Mediotiempo. via The Sun. Martinez said Ronaldo is “a very competitive person. ” adding that it makes him feel “there’s a lot of injustice towards him. so he complains a lot.”.
Martinez recounted an incident from refereeing an Al-Nassr match in which goals were disallowed after VAR review. “We disallowed two goals for him, with VAR and everything,” Martinez said. He described a play that upset Ronaldo because he felt he had been fouled in attack. leading to a goal against them while his side was losing.
Then. Martinez detailed the confrontation: Ronaldo stayed about 10 metres away and told him. “It’s always the same with you lot. you always think you’re the stars.” Martinez responded in Spanish. saying. “But we don’t bring you here to be the stars. we are the stars.” He said Ronaldo started calmly. then got agitated. and he looked at Ronaldo “provocatively” to see if he would come closer—yet he did not.
After the match, Martinez said he discussed the incident again with Ronaldo in the tunnel. He said that after checking VAR, he asked Ronaldo to come closer. “Cristiano is Cristiano. and if he doesn’t want to come. he won’t.” Martinez said Ronaldo eventually came over and that he told him: “You’re a great player. but what you said at half-time isn’t right. I respect you a lot, but we’re here to do our job just like you are”.
Martinez added that Ronaldo replied: “Yes, you’re right; it wasn’t the right way to express myself. I apologise”.
That history now sits alongside another complication for Martinez at this World Cup. Before stepping onto the pitch for England’s game against Ghana. Martinez had already become a talking point after his decision to award Switzerland a penalty during their match against Qatar appeared. to viewers at home. to involve offside—only for the visual check to be obscured by a technical problem.
FIFA said that during the Qatar vs Switzerland match. a “brief technical interruption prevented the offside animation from being generated before the penalty awarded to Switzerland.” FIFA added that the problem was resolved quickly. that the VAR workflow was not affected. and that “the usual procedure for reviewing the referee’s decision was followed.” FIFA also stated that “the lines used by VAR to check the position of the players involved did not show the attacking player in an offside position in either situation.”.
The picture that emerges as Martinez prepares for England and Ghana is simple: a referee who has already had to manage Ronaldo-level emotion, and one who has been at the centre of VAR scrutiny—whether or not the final decision was affected.
Said Martinez England vs Ghana World Cup referee Cristiano Ronaldo Walter Lopez Christian Ramirez Ning Ma VAR controversy Qatar vs Switzerland Al-Nassr
Refs always make it about themselves.
So this Martinez guy literally said Ronaldo is difficult and feels injustice?? Sounds like bias to me. Like England better not get any VAR calls if he’s already mad.
Wait Ghana vs England and the ref is from Honduras? That’s wild. Also VAR disallowed two goals for Ronaldo before, so is that why people are bringing it up again? I’m lost but it feels like England’s gonna be blamed either way.
Martinez said Ronaldo complains a lot cause he’s competitive… okay but refs complaining too? I swear this is how they rig games, like VAR just disappears until the drama starts. And why is a Chinese fourth official on a Honduras ref’s match, that seems random like FIFA is doing a rotation not officiating.