“Scandalous, shameful”: José Boto hits out at Conmebol after Flamengo match | OneFootball

Flamengo's executive, José Boto, harshly criticized the refereeing

José Boto spoke up after the "scandal" of the refereeing in the game of Flamengo against Estudiantes (ARG). The Rubro-Negro even won, by 2 to 1, but had many reasons to complain about Colombian Andrés Rojas. The referee became the protagonist of the game and was the target of strong criticism from the Portuguese executive.

— "I ask Conmebol to thoroughly analyze what happened there. A penalty in our favor that is turned into the expulsion of Plata, which not only hurt us in this game but will hurt us in the return. In their goal action, the ball hits the arm of the Estudiantes player. This can't be by chance. Once again, a team that has much more ball possession, that plays much more offensively, has more yellow cards than the other team" —, said José Boto.

— "An Estudiantes player made a very nasty foul on Arrascaeta in the first half, and the referee didn't even give a yellow card. And it was the second yellow. For us, they turn a penalty into the expulsion of one of our players. I think it's scandalous, shameful, in the biggest competition in South America, we continue to watch things like this. I ask for their attention, Conmebol's, for the return game, because this cannot be repeated. It's important for someone to come here and speak. It was a scandal what happened there inside" —, added the Flamengo executive.

WHAT WAS THE DIRECT CHANGE IN THE GAME?

Apart from all the points mentioned by Boto, the expulsion of Plata had a direct influence on the result. The Flamengo was heading for a comfortable 2-0 victory. However, with the red card for the Ecuadorian, the match changed scenario.

Therefore, Estudiantes went on the attack and managed to discount in stoppage time, with Guido Carrillo. At the beginning of the game, Pedro and Varela put Flamengo ahead. Thus, Mengo will play for a draw next Thursday (25), in La Plata, to advance to the semis of the Libertadores.

WHAT WILL BE THE GAME BEFORE ESTUDIANTES?

Before thinking about the Libertadores, Flamengo shifts its focus to the Brasileirão. This Sunday (18), Mengão faces Vasco, to defend the leadership. The ball rolls from 5:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

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