Miguel Herrera blames referee Pedro Proenca for costing Mexico

Mexico soccer coach Miguel Herrera was furious with referee Pedro Proenca for costing El Tri in a 2-1 loss to The Netherlands Sunday at the World Cup.

Proenca called a penalty on Rafael Marquez for tripping Arjen Robben in the box during injury time. The foul call gave the Dutch a penalty kick, which they converted for the 2-1 lead and win.

“Today it was the man with the whistle who eliminated us from the World Cup,” Herrera said after the match.

“If a referee invents a penalty, you’re out of the World Cup,” Herrera added. “I hope they have a look at what happened and that this gentleman goes home just like we are.”

Herrera complained that Robben, who has a reputation for flopping, flopped twice before that final penalty was called, giving him three flops during the match.

“If the referee is fair then their second goal doesn’t exist and Robben would have been expelled or suspended with a second yellow card,” Herrera said. “But if you do nothing the first time then the player knows that the referee won’t kick you out, he won’t caution you, not say anything.”

Mexico tried to protest that Robben flopped, but Proenca still called the penalty on Marquez, which ended up deciding the game.