National Soccer
At a press conference, player Jorge Aparicio, said that the collegiate’s performance directly influenced the scoreboard and questioned the lack of improvements in Guatemalan arbitration.
The referee Luis Escobar (left) accepted that he was wrong to whistle the penalty that gave the victory to Cobán Imperial, after apologizing to the Xelajú Mc goalkeeper, José Calderón. (Free Press Photo: Aníbal Pop courtesy).
The controversy soon unleashed after the victory of Cobán Imperial against Xelajú MC by the minimum difference. Beyond the result, the main protagonist of the meeting was the arbitrationwhich left several questionable decisions and generated the discomfort of the Altense template.
After the game, Xelajú midfielder, Jorge Aparicio, nothing was kept and launched strong criticism against arbitration work. At a press conference, the player pointed out that the collegiate’s performance directly influenced the scoreboard and questioned the lack of improvements in Guatemalan arbitration.
“The referee is wrong and then apologizes to Chepo for the penal
The penalty sanctioned in favor of Cobán at minute 70 was the key play of the game. Delfino Álvarez turned from eleven steps and gave the triumph to the blue princes. However, on the Xelajú side they consider that the decision was wrong and that there was no lack of the area.
Aparicio also called the National League and the referees, asking for greater commitment and professionalism. “Just as we players try to improve day by day to give a good show and that the League grows, there should also be concern on the subject of arbitration. It has been a tournament very affected by specific errors of the referees, and as players we are worried because we do not see improvement in that aspect, ”he added.
In addition to the penalty sanctioned in favor of Cobán, Xelajú claimed a key play in the final minutes, where they say they did not mark a clear penalty that could have changed the course of the game.
The midfielder also showed concern about possible reprisals after his statements, but made it clear that the issue must be discussed to avoid more controversies.
“I hope that in my words there is no discomfort in the next matches of Xelajúbut you have to talk about it. If nothing is said, these kinds of things will continue to happen and that does not benefit Guatemalan football ”,
The words of Aparicio They reflect an increasing discomfort in the players and fans of different teams, who have repeatedly indicated the arbitration errors that have marked the development of the tournament.
With the defeat, Xelajú falls to the sixth place of the table with 12 points, while Cobán Imperial is placed in third position with 16 units. The controversy of arbitration remains a recurring theme in the tournament, and the pressure on the National League and the arbitration commission increases with each day.