Yael Falcón Pérez to referee Cruzeiro v Flamengo after life-saving act | OneFootball

Argentine referee Yael Falcón Pérez, 37, will take charge of Cruzeiro v Flamengo in the Libertadores last 16 at the Mineirão. According to Globo.com, he is regarded as one of Argentina’s emerging officials and is best known for a life-saving intervention in 2017.

In 2017, during a fourth-tier match between San Miguel and Defensores Unidos, defender Isaías Olariaga suffered a seizure after a head collision and Falcón acted quickly. He had worked as a lifeguard on the beaches of San Bernardo and provided first aid, later visiting the player in hospital.

The Argentine Olympic Committee recognised him for an Exemplary Sporting Gesture. Olariaga later returned after having a cranial prosthesis fitted and has credited the referee with saving his life.

Falcón is set to be joined by assistants Facundo Rodriguez and Pablo Gonzalez, with Hector Paletta on VAR for the tie at the Mineirão.

He has since climbed quickly, refereeing three matches at the last World Cup and taking charge of three games in this year’s Libertadores.

Source: Globo.com

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