The Copa America 2024 is in its final stretch, with defending champions Argentina set to face Colombia in the final on Sunday. While the tournament has seen thrilling matches and exciting moments, it has also been marked by a string of questionable refereeing decisions, leaving players, coaches, and fans questioning the officiating.
One of the most controversial matches was the Group C encounter between the host nation, USA, and Uruguay. The match, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Uruguay, was plagued by questionable calls from referee Kevin Ortega. The American captain’s attempt to shake hands with the referee after the final whistle was met with a refusal from Ortega, adding fuel to the fire of discontent among American fans.
The USA was ultimately eliminated from the tournament after this loss, and many attributed this to the referee’s decisions. Critics argued that the questionable calls went against the USA, impacting the outcome of the match.
Another incident that raised eyebrows occurred during the Colombia-Panama quarterfinal match. With Colombia dominating the game, there was a penalty shout after a tackle on Daniel Munoz inside the penalty box. The Italian referee, Maurizio Mariani, appeared to acknowledge the foul and blew the whistle. However, almost instantly, Richard Rios capitalized on the loose ball, unleashing a powerful shot that caught the Panama goalkeeper off guard, finding the back of the net despite the goalkeeper’s dive. This sequence of events led to confusion and frustration, as it seemed that the referee had initially awarded a penalty, only for Rios to score before any penalty kick could be taken.
These instances are just a glimpse into the controversial decisions that have marred the Copa America 2024. While the tournament has produced unforgettable moments on the field, it’s clear that the officiating has been far from perfect, leaving a lasting impact on the competition’s integrity and fairness. With the final just days away, it remains to be seen if the refereeing decisions will continue to be a talking point as the tournament reaches its climax.
