'Lost his guide dog': World Cup referee's Wikipedia page edited

England fans appeared to be behind several changes to the Wikipedia page of the referee in charge of France's quarter-final win over Gareth Southgate's side.

Wilton Sampaio came in for criticism following several contentious decisions in the first-half of England’s nerve-shredding 2-1 defeat to the World Cup holders on Saturday night.

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The Brazilian official was put in charge, despite the controversial penalty he awarded to Saudi Arabia earlier in the tournament.

And England fans took no time in editing the main official’s Wikipedia page, listing the referee as having “lost his guide dog”, as well as being termed as a “Brazilian cheat”.

“Please return dog if found, the dog has a match to ref,” the Wikipedia page read.

Another 'biographical' line read: "Wilton Pereira Sampaio is a French fan and a Brazilian football referee.

"He is currently under investigation for falsely not awarding a penalty to England after Harry Kane was assaulted."

The comments, which can be edited online, were later taken down.

Sampaio, who was part of the VAR team at the 2018 World Cup, had not previously overseen any internationals involving England or France.

The official also received a barrage of criticism from players and pundits, as France set up an encounter with surprise semi-finalists Morocco.

“Really poor. Very poor,” Harry Maguire said of the 40-year-old's performance. “From minute one, five, six fouls in the first 15 minutes, not one yellow card.

“His decisions throughout the game, not just the big decisions. Even the big decisions were wrong, he never gave us anything, but throughout the game he was really poor.”

Team-mate Jude Bellingham added: "Anyone can have a bad game, players and referees, but I think he wasn't where he should have been today in terms of the level for a game like this."

Meanwhile, BBC presenter Gary Lineker took to Twitter to write: “One of these days, just once, we might get a decision in our favour.”

Following a penalty decision which didn't go England's way in the opening half, fellow former England international Ian Wright weighed in with: “It is very difficult to see that not given, especially in the current climate what they give fouls for.”

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In the aftermath of defeat, England players also backed Southgate to carry on as England coach.

Maguire added: “I’m sure if you asked every player in the team they wouldn’t be able to speak highly enough of him, his man management, the way that this team has been built and developed over a period of time.

“Over the last five or six years with Gareth in charge you can really see the development. I know being an England manager is so tough, they get every decision they make scrutinised, every squad they make, ‘he should be in’ or ‘he shouldn’t be in’. Every team he picks, ‘he should play’ or ‘he shouldn’t play’… that is being an England manager.”

Watch: Gutted England fans in Qatar react to World Cup knockout