AFA complains to CONMEBOL over VAR controversy in defeat to Brazil
Argentina may have lost to Brazil, but nearly a week on, they’re still going down fighting.
On Wednesday, the Argentine Football Association ( AFA) made a formal complaint to CONMEBOL, criticising “serious and gross refereeing errors” in the 2- 0 defeat to their arch- rivals in the Copa América semi- finals.
AFA said the Albiceleste were “clearly harmed” by the decisions of Ecuadorean referee Roddy Zambrano on Tuesday, hinting hosts Brazil were favoured.
In a six- page letter to the South American confederation, Argentina complained that video review was not used to check on a couple of non- calls that could have seen penalty kicks awarded, one on Sergio Agüero and another on Nicolás Otamendi. Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni complained strongly after the match about the decisions.
Host Brazil won 2- 0 at the Mineirão Stadium, making it to the final and extending Argentina’s 26- year title drought with the senior squad.
AFA President Claudio Tapia also criticised Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who attended the game in Belo Horizonte and who performed “a clear political demonstration” that included “an Olympic lap of honour around the stadium at half- time,” in his six- page letter to CONMEBOL in support of the Albiceleste.
Tapia said that Zambrano “unjustifiably omitted the use of VAR in at least two specific moves that clearly influenced the final result of the match.” And he questioned whether “the principles of ethics, loyalty and transparency” had been observed during the match.
Messi had also fumed over his perceived sense of injustice in the immediate aftermath of the clash.
“[ I’ve] grown tired of talking about the bullshit in this Copa, the fucking penalties and today they did not even look at the VAR in a two very clear plays. But whatever, Brazil were the hosts and they’re managing a lot in CONMEBOL these days, which makes it complicated,” the Albiceleste captain said.
Tapia added that AFA had previously questioned the appointment of the refereeing team because of “Zambrano’s negative history” that “amplified the doubt” surrounding the match’s fairness.
AFA also criticised the Brazilian football federation for “breaching organisational rules” which caused “unjustified delays in the transport of equipment to stadiums”, except for the hosts.
ANGERED
Tapia seemed particularly angered by Bolsonaro’s presence. The Brazilian leader went to pitchside at half- time and waved enthusiastically to fans, and at one point climbed onto advertising hoardings and waved the national flag.
Bolsonaro was voted in as president last October after a polarised and bitter campaign.
Tapia pointed to world football governing body FIFA and CONMEBOL rules that “prohibit... political demonstrations at a sports event.”
He added that both governing bodies had in the past “sanctioned players for having visibly demonstrated political allegiance during matches.”
When contacted by AFP, a CONMEBOL spokesperson said they were looking at how to respond to the accusations.
Argentina have not won the Copa America since 1993 and before this year’s edition they had lost in four of the last five finals – twice to Brazil.