Javier Castrilli He is remembered in the field of Argentine football for being a very strict referee. A catch in the area, even if innocent and minimal, was a penalty for Castrilli. And he had no intention of showing his cards. Not even if the one in front was Diego Armando Maradona.
On Sunday 16 June 1996, for the 13th round of the Closing Tournament, a historic event took place for national football, but also for Argentine football culture, at the Vélez stadium. The place, managed by Carl Bianchireceived the Mouth of Carlos Bilardo who had Maradona Y Claudio Caniggiaamong other figures such as Juan Sebastián Verón, Navarro Montoya, Néstor Fabbri, Fabián Carrizo and Kily González.
26 years have passed and the memory remains carved in fire. During a trip to Qatar, producer and comedian Sebastián Wainraich met the former referee at the airport and put himself in Maradona’s shoes. Castrilli, seated in a chair, remained serious once more. And Mauricio Serna took over the role of Navarro Montoya. “You won’t answer me? Then it’s a button!”
Finally Castrilli, nicknamed the Sheriff, has a slight smile.
What happened that night in Liniers
Vélez and Boca were fighting for the championship, and Javier Castrilli was the designated referee for the match, at Liniers. The away game begins by dominating the opponent and takes the lead 1-0 with a goal from Caniggia. But the local team equalized with a “phantom” goal: Fucile Pandolfi stung from outside the area, the ball hit the crossbar and Patricio Camps headed in the rebound. Navarro Montoya carried over the line, but it was a goal for the linesman, Alberto Barrientos, and for Castrilli.
The protests of Maradona and his companions against Castrilli began, who remained unperturbed. Then the questionable foul by Javier MacAllister (father of Alexis, now in Qatar) on Pandolfi and the great goal from a free kick by José Luis Chilavert for the 2-1. And shortly after, a highly controversial penalty that the referee charged against Vélez and which the Paraguayan goalkeeper converted to make it 3-1. Here comes the first red, for Fabbri.
And then everything went haywire. Boca fans broke the wire fence, there was tear gas, bullfights and firefighters, with their hoses, used their powerful water jets to disperse the visiting party.
Maradona, already cautioned, bypasses the referee. The dialogue – or lack thereof – is anthological.
Maradona: Tell me why, let’s see.
castrillos: …
Maradona: Master, what are you dead? He is not dead!. Explain to me! Please please!
castrillos: …
NavarroMontoya: He won’t answer you…
Maradona: But we are speaking as men, as human beings!
NavarroMontoya: He won’t answer you, he won’t answer you, come.
Maradona: -But but…
castrillos: …
NavarroMontoya: He won’t answer you!
Maradona: But you won’t answer me? Then it’s a button!
Castrilli: …
NavarroMontoya: Do not be angry with me!
Maradona: He’s a son of a bitch! A son of a bitch!
NavarroMontoya: Do not be angry with me! Don’t be mad at me, idiot!
Maradona saw red. Boca are left with nine players. The match resumed and in the second half Vélez scored a historic 5-1. Maradona’s phrase has gone down in history.
In a 2019 television program, Navarro Montoya told his version: “Javier on some occasions didn’t understand the context, the moment. Diego didn’t understand the expulsion and moreover I didn’t know he was expelled, I realize when I see him face to face I go to look for him, to separate him, because I didn’t want it to happen to adults and I knew I wouldn’t answer him as I told him… We footballers sometimes create moments that remain for life, the famous ‘ Armando, he won’t answer you’ has remained forever, we are in 2019 and the answer will not come”. Now, in 2022, neither.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.