“Controversies never end”. With that phrase, Federico Beligoy, Director of Arbitration Training, closed the training course he gave to Ezeiza for journalists. and I am right. Basically, because the technology is administered by the referees themselves. And no matter how many certifications from IFAB (International Football Board Association) and FIFA have allowed the 50 judges to sit in front of the monitors arranged in Ezeiza, they continue to decide according to the standard, regardless of the rules. Thus, the VAR debut in Argentine football cannot be exempted in situations to discuss … Yes, as usual, at the bar.

To begin, it should be noted that all games have been reviewed and until the game is resumed after a goal, the referee may withdraw to be called by the jury to the cabin. Now, how many times has the VAR decided to change the decision in 14 games of the eighth date? And what is the success percentage?

There are 10 situations where, at the suggestion of the VAR, the original decisions were altered. Field referees attend the RRA (Referee Review Area) or Totem, as they say in whistle jargon, on 8 occasions. And with all of them, they changed their mind. There were two controversies: a grab at Boca-Arsenal that led to Lucas Suárez’s penalty to Marcos Rojo and another at Newell’s-Platense that ended with a shot from eleven meters for a supposed Juan Infante foul on Juan Garro.

There are ultimate goals. At La Plata, it took 4 minutes to validate Cristian Tarragona’s goal. At Liniers there was a 10 -minute delay, due to a microcut in the signal, for Vélez fans to celebrate the conquest of Lucas Pratto.

Of the 10 games in which the VAR was decisive, half a dozen were in penalty situations. In five of those games, the field referee marked a violation that, at first, he did not consider. The rest, in Racing-Sarmiento, Fernando Rapallini withdrew. He charges a penalty for the Academy.

The remaining three games were on three goals canceled mainly for offside, then given by the field referees after review by the VOR (Video Office Room) judges, who observed their monitors on the lines drawn by the operator. TV using Deltacast, and an expulsion.

Colon-Aldosivi

In 12 minutes into the first half, Gian Nardelli stumbled into the area forced by Braian Martínez. Nicolás Lamolina got a corner kick. However, Mauro Vigliano warned, he made history: he was the first referee to attend the RRA. After seeing Colón’s defender hold the ball, he scored a penalty spot and Martín Cauteruccio scored Aldosivi’s first goal.

“I didn’t realize until the play stopped and they went to the corner. Then the boys asked me if he touched my hand. That’s when I realized. While playing I slipped and supported my hand so as not to fall, but without any intention. I didn’t even realize it, “Nardelli said.

Board of Trustees-Union

The team from Entre Ríos won 1-0 when, 34 minutes into the second half, Lucas Barrios jumped to discuss the ball with Enzo Roldán with a corner kick. The rebound at the wheel of the Union led to the hands of Sebastián Mele and the Uruguayan goalkeeper quickly served.

But Fernando Espinoza was called from the VAR, led by Pablo Dóvalo. The referee listened to his colleagues at Ezeiza for two minutes until he decided to go to the monitor. Then, he found Roldán stretched out his arm. And he charges a fine. Barrios himself scored second.

Banfield-Argentines

The game is over, the Argentines hit the visitor, but there is a play that deserves the technology. Luciano Gómez crossed over to Agustín Urzi. It was a very difficult foul, but Nazareno Arasa just showed him the yellow card. And when Banfield was about to take the free kick, there was a warning from Germán Delfino from the Video Office Room.

Two minutes later, the court referee reviewed the photos and understood that he had made the wrong decision. He withdrew the yellow card and showed the red directly to Gómez, who went along with the spike blocks on Urzi’s left ankle.

Central Cordoba-Hurricane

They were 3 minutes and had a free kick for the locals. The center came, a rebound and Claudio Riaño appeared alone to beat Marcos Díaz. Assistant Mariana De Almeida raised the flag and Facundo Tello canceled the goal.

However, from Ezeiza the VAR, managed by Hernán Mastrángelo, noticed that the ball bounced off Walter Pérez in an attempt to clear. Therefore, Riaño is not in the advanced position because the pass did not come from the teammate but from the opponent. Three minutes later, Tello validated the striker’s goal and he was delayed shouting.

Gymnastics-Workshops

The Cordovans were at the advantage and they played 4 minutes of complement. He recovered Gymnastics and with three hits he left Cristian Tarragona facing the tie. They combined Lautaro Chávez and Ramón Sosa until the former striker from Vélez identified against Guido Herrera.

We had to wait 4 minutes for Fernando Echenique, in conversation with Héctor Paletta, to restart the game and validate the 1-1. “I had a bad time at VAR. It was like 5 minutes. He said to Fernando: ‘Come on, charge it’. Afterwards, I relaxed”, explained the attacker in the locker room.

Karera-Sarmiento

Played one in three minutes added by Fernando Rapallini. Carlos Alcaraz found a finishing position, trembling and the ball hit Rasmussen’s elbow, who turned around to cover the shot from the shuttlecock with his back. The referee marked the penalty point, but the VAR called using the red button.

Ariel Penel warned that her colleague might reconsider the play. And he was right. It is not accidental hand, does not increase in volume and it has no criminal entity. So the international judge stepped back and bounced on the ground.

Velez-Lanus

The match was over, Fernando Monetti took a long shot and the ball fell, Nicolás Garayalde returned and Julián Fernández allowed Lucas Pratto, who dodged the goalkeeper and defined. Franco Díaz is on the line of play. That is why the assistant Juan Pablo Belatti raised the flag.

Andrés Merlos was summoned by Darío Herrera. However, there are problems with the video. The match referee spent ten minutes to see the action where Díaz didn’t touch the ball before Fernández’s pass reached Pratto’s position. It is a technological piece of paper, of course, beyond the fact that the right decision is finally made.

Godoy Cruz-Students

In Mendoza came the side and a cross by Agustín Rogel to Salomón Rodríguez in the 40th minute of the second half. Yael Falcón Pérez did not give a penalty, but Jorge Baliño called.

And the referee understood that one Uruguayan had touched down another and changed his original decision. Martín Ojeda didn’t waste it and recorded the partial 3-2.

Defense and Justice-River

Controversy arose over Walter Bou’s goal, which came after a rebound at Milton Casco. The entrerriano received a pass from Gabriel Hachen in a legal position, but Maximiliano Del Yeso, a few seconds later, raised the flag. And Patricio Loustau repealed it.

We had to wait a while until Mauro Vigliano examined the image using the lines drawn on the screen. And finally, he warned his partner that he needed to validate the goal. That was Halcón’s discount on 25 minutes of the second half.

Boca-Arsenal

theThis was the first decision that caused controversy and heated discussion. In the 23rd minute of the second half, in game 1-1, the corner came from the right and Lucas Suárez had a shirt on Marcos Rojo. Leandro Rey Hilfer left, but Germán Delfino saw the grab and the main referee withdrew. He charges the penalty and Rojo himself changes it. The fun didn’t last long, Arsenal took it in the middle and Cristian Colman tied it. For many, this is divine justice.

“The previous play they had done the same thing and that’s why I had warned the referee to take it into account and in the next one it was repeated,” explained the Xeneize defender and captain.

Newell’s-Platense

This is a big mistake, certainly. Because Juan Infante and Juan Garro were fighting for 5 minutes in the second half, when Nicolás Castro’s corner kick came. Pablo Dóvalo let it run, but Diego Abal warned with a T-shirt. Now, if they both take, why did the referee buy his partner’s suggestion?

The attacker is always a priority, but the foul is not noticed. Track, Dóvalo charged what he had never seen before and Castro recorded the second from eleven meters.

The controversial grabs

Federico Beligoy was strong yesterday at noon. “We decided to go for grabs in the area which in the eyes of the referee was difficult and the VAR had to warn them”, the Director of Arbitration Training interrupted. And he added: “The Arsenal defender (Suárez) is ignoring the play.”

“We are very pleased. When the date ends there will be statistics and we will review them. At all times, we share the decisions made and we have the technical and disciplinary foundations to support them ”, he stressed on the program Fútbol Sin Manchas (Channel 26).

Obviously, in set pieces, coaches have to insist on their players to be careful. And if they want the opponent’s jersey, they have to wait for the exchange after the match. But don’t take him for the whole ninety minutes.