⚠️ Conmebol overturns red card, Plata cleared to play in the Libertadores | OneFootball

Conmebol has overturned the red card given to Gonzalo Plata in the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes, in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores da América.

The information was initially reported by journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira and also confirmed by Coluna do Fla.

Conmebol later made the information official, according to the Brazilian club.

"Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that CONMEBOL, through an official letter sent at the beginning of the afternoon this Friday (19), has withdrawn the punishment applied to forward Gonzalo Plata as a result of the second yellow card, and consequent expulsion, received in the match against Estudiantes, held last Thursday (18), for the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

With this measure, the player is eligible to play normally in the return match, scheduled for next Thursday (25), in Argentina.”

Thus, the forward is cleared for the match in Argentina next Thursday (25).

Flamengo released an official statement this Friday (19) criticizing the refereeing of Colombian Andres Rojas.

Earlier, Conmebol admitted the referee's mistake, which was heavily criticized by coach Filipe Luis and director José Boto after the final whistle.

Check out Flamengo's official statement:

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo comes forward to announce that it will take action with CONMEBOL regarding the refereeing in the match against Estudiantes de La Plata, played this Thursday, for the CONMEBOL Libertadores. What was seen on the field, led by Colombian referee Andres Rojas, was a parade of mistakes and decisions that went beyond the limits of human error, making clear a biased conduct, with different treatment for the two teams, directly compromising the sporting result and the credibility of the competition.

The images of the match are clear and indisputable in revealing the enormity of the errors committed. Reversed fouls and yellow cards disproportionately given against Flamengo reveal the imbalance of the referee's decisions in favor of the visiting team. There was a penalty committed by an intentional handball by the defender in a challenge with Luiz Araújo, and the subsequent expulsion of Gonzalo Plata, punished with a second yellow card in a play where he was actually the one fouled. The validation of an irregular goal by Estudiantes, scored after the attacker touched the ball with an outstretched arm, expanding his area beyond a natural movement and assuming the risk, makes everything even more serious. Situations like these cannot be treated as simple mistakes, but rather as a direct attack on the integrity of the tournament.

As if the numerous crucial errors, highlighted in the national and international press, were not enough, the omission of the video referee, Nicolás Gallo (COL), and the non-use of the VAR resource in moments when the protocol required its participation, also drew attention. All these elements lay bare a disastrous performance by the refereeing team, which also included assistants Alexander Guzmán Bonilla (COL) and John Alexander León Sánchez (COL), as well as fourth official Jhon Alexander Ospina Londoño (COL), something that directly influenced the result of this match and also compromised Flamengo's lineup for the decisive match in Argentina.

Flamengo will appeal to CONMEBOL regarding the absurd expulsion of player Gonzalo Plata, with absolute certainty that the South American Football Confederation will urgently review the decision and overturn the punishment applied to the player. The same should be done already for the next match, under penalty of perpetuating an injustice that would further harm the competition and tarnish its image before the international scene.

The club reaffirms its confidence in the integrity of CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez, recognized for his commitment to the development and best practices of football on the continent. Flamengo expects that measures will be taken immediately to repair, even if only partially, the enormous damage caused by the refereeing in this match and to preserve the legitimacy of the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 PABLO PORCIUNCULA - AFP or licensors