Atlanta’s controversial unscored goal in the First National and the referee’s defense for not having VAR

In recent weeks in which the First Division of Argentine football has questioned its usefulness VARthe absence of technology in First National caused real injustice in the match between Atlanta AND Gymnastics and jumping shooting, played at Villa Crespo. This is a new controversy in the world of promotion even if this time it also included the match referee’s mea cupla, Juan Pablo Lousteau.

The match between Bohemio and Lobo Salteño ended 1-1, and the locals They didn’t validate a goal at 0-0: A free kick hit the inside of the goal and the referee was sure it had hit the crossbar. In the end, in the absence of the VAR that the promotion has, the referee paid dearly for his confusion and ended up apologizing publicly.

It was all what happened at Villa Crespo. Aside from the fact that Atlanta found itself with one player less after 40 minutes, the incessant rain took its toll on a good game in the first half. Otherwise it would happen in the complement.

When neither team had broken zero, Atlanta had a free kick in their favor in the corner of the penalty area. Lucas Ríos’ shot had such an effect that, between a previous shot and a small touch from the Gimnasia goalkeeper, the ball ended up hitting the arch support which joins the right post to the crossbar. What causes confusion? That the ball is expelled from inside the goal and back into the hands of goalkeeper Federico Abadía.

“It hit the crossbar!“, shouted the speaker of the meeting while he was in parallel from the gallery You could hear the fans shouting for a goal and The Atlanta players claimed the ball went in. Seconds of confusion immediately awoke on the playing field.

However, The line judge, well positioned, never gave any sign of having seen the ball enter the goal. That’s why referee Juan Pablo Loustau trusted his actions when he wasn’t able to observe the play clearly.

The one who had no doubts that the goal should be validated was the coach Mario Sciacqua. To the point that his effervescent protest led to his expulsion by the referee. “A shame“he repeated over and over again.

After the controversy, Atlanta would get revenge and score 1-0 with 10 minutes left. But in the event that bad luck had not yet completely gone in Bohemio’s favor, it would be in the 47th minute of the second half that the Salta team, also left with ten men, tied the match.

The dilemma came on the way to the locker room.. There, both Atlanta players and the referee team would observe the replay of the controversial play that impacted the support.

That’s why Loustau didn’t realize his mistake, he decided to go out to talk before leaving the Villa Crespo stadium. “I leave with a horrible feeling because we saw it was a goal. On the pitch it’s difficult because the ball comes in from the air and hits out. “It’s one of the most difficult plays for both me and the assistant,” acknowledged the referee.

But he appealed to the lack of technology that promotion categories still have. “I find it hard to blame myself for this play because these are plays that in Europe are resolved with the clock. who scores if the ball crosses the line, in the First Division many times with VAR and here it is very difficult for us to see it“He explained.

Despite the statements, the Bohemio players did not comment on the matter after the match was over and Sciaqua tried not to give importance to the situation. “In the face of great adversity, the team recovered, had virility and play“, he expressed in a press conference.

Now Atlanta is eighth in zone B with nine points, while Gimnasia of Salta remains third with 12 points.