Expulsão de Plata e Controvérsias na Arbitragem de Piero Maza Agitam Jogo entre Racing e Flamengo na Libertadores
In a dramatic semifinal of the Copa Libertadores, Racing Club faced Flamengo on October 29 at El Cilindro. The match kicked off at 21:30 (Brasilia time) with Flamengo already leading due to a 1-0 victory in the first leg.
Match Outcome
The game ended in a stalemate, with both teams failing to score. This result allowed Flamengo to advance to the final with an aggregate score of 1-0.
Piero Maza’s Controversial Referee Decisions
The referee, Piero Maza from Chile, was at the center of controversy due to his decision to expel Flamengo’s Gonzalo Plata. The expulsion occurred early in the second half after Plata allegedly struck Racing’s player, Rojo, on the thigh.
Key Incidents During the Match
- Gonzalo Plata was expelled despite protests from Flamengo and the player himself.
- Racing Club also appealed for a penalty after a ball touched player Varela’s hand in their box.
- Rojo nearly received a red card, but after VAR intervention, Maza reversed his decision.
The expulsion of Plata overshadowed the match. It drew significant criticism of Maza’s officiating, leading to discussions about the influence of VAR during the game.
Fan Reactions on Social Media
The event sparked outrage among Flamengo supporters, many of whom took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their dissatisfaction. Comments included:
- “Piero Maza, congratulations to VAR! Kudos for allowing Racing to dictate the match!”
- “Maza, do you even consider yourself a referee? Poor choice! Unjust expulsion of Plata!”
The contrasting approaches of the teams highlighted the tension, with Racing vocally disputing decisions while Flamengo maintained a more measured stance. The match served as a focal point for discussions about fairness and officiating in high-stakes matches like the Copa Libertadores.
