Who is Ismail Elfath, the England vs. Argentina World Cup semifinal referee? Is he Messi's good-luck charm?

American referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed to officiate the FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina scheduled for Wednesday. Elfath, a Moroccan-American official, has drawn attention for his previous assignments involving Lionel Messi and Argentina, prompting questions about whether he serves as a good-luck charm for the Argentine star. The high-profile appointment gives Elfath one of the most prestigious refereeing duties in international football.