Coluna do Fla
·20 settembre 2025
Referee in Flamengo v Estudiantes row dropped from World Cup

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·20 settembre 2025
After a series of errors last Thursday (18), Conmebol requested this Friday (19) that FIFA exclude referee Andrés Rojas from the Under-20 World Cup taking place in Chile starting Saturday (27). Among the reasons for the exclusion is the expulsion of Gonzalo Plata.
Therefore, Rojas's removal is considered certain since the continental confederations choose the representatives. The referee's errors occurred at Maracanã in favor of Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores.
At the end of the first half, Samuel Lino fell inside the area after a dispute with Lucas Piovi. Then, the Flamengo players complained about the penalty, but the referee was not called to review the play.
Thus, Rojas began to distribute yellow cards in the game. Saúl Ñíguez, for example, was only substituted by Allan due to an exaggerated warning. Moreover, the referee reversed a series of throw-ins.
Finally, the most glaring error of the match was when defender Facundo Rodríguez, from Estudiantes, touched the ball with his hand. Then, Plata tried to duel for it but received a kick. In light of the play, Rojas absolved the Argentine and expelled the Flamengo player.
Naturally, a player expelled in a match would be absent in the following game. However, Conmebol admitted the error and reversed the expulsion of Plata. Thus, the forward is cleared to play at Estadio UNO, in La Plata.
Free from Rojas's refereeing, Flamengo and Estudiantes will face each other on Thursday (25), starting at 9:30 PM (Brasília time). It is noted that the Rubro-Negro has a minimal advantage in the aggregate score.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.