Match official Nestor Pitana was at the centre of controversy, with Brazil going on to score the winning goal after 10 minutes of stoppage time
Colombia have been left furious by their 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the Copa America group stage on Wednesday, as Roberto Firmino’s 78th-minute equaliser came after referee Nestor Pitana had touched the ball.
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro would add to Colombia’s woes as he scored a winner deep into stoppage time, with Reinaldo Rueda’s side having come close to what would have been a famous win over the Selecao.
Several Colombia defenders appeared distracted when Pitana accidentally intervened for the equaliser – the ball hitting him after Neymar had attempted a drilled pass – and Firmino would eventually nod home, leaving Rueda and his players hugely frustrated.
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What has been said?
“The two goals for Brazil are different situations,” Rueda told reporters. “With the first, I think that the situation with the referee caused a distraction in the players.
“Brazil had to go out to find a way back into the game, they had a good possession of the ball and the players who came on had an influence. That is perhaps why [the second half was different].
“But we were incisive and in the end it is a pity that the result could not be achieved.”
The reaction on social media
Pitana was poorly positioned, was going to stop play.
Ospina was poor on the shot.
Colombian players had to play the whistle, but the ref’s actions were pretty bad.
Lots to unpack.— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) June 24, 2021
Today is the first time you can ever say a referee faked out more players than Neymar did.
— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) June 24, 2021
Wow…. So what’s the point of VAR again? 🤯🤯🤯 HOW IS THAT A GOAL?!? Absolutely unfair, Colombia has every right to be pissed at the referee for his error. #CopaAmerica
— Melissa Ortiz (@MelissaMOrtiz) June 24, 2021
It always seems like South American officials are auditioning for a part in the latest telenovela. #CopaAmerica
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) June 24, 2021
A knowing smile from Casemiro as he goes up to shake Pitana’s hand.
— Daniel Edwards 💚 (@DanEdwardsGoal) June 24, 2021
What is the official rule for referee interference scenarios?
According to CONMEBOL rules, the ball should be deemed out of play when:
- The ball has completely crossed the byline or touch line, either on the ground or in the air;
- Play has been stopped by the referee;
- The ball touches a member of the refereeing team, remains on the field of play AND a team starts a promising attack or the ball goes directly into the goal or the team in possession of the ball changes.
In all the above cases, the game should be restarted with a dropped ball.
Further reading
- Pele: I want Neymar to break my record
- Ronaldo becomes joint-top men’s international scorer
- Why is Neymar’s legacy in doubt?
