Roberto Tobar, President of the ANFP Referees Commission, has defended referee Cristián Galaz following Universidad de Chile's 1-0 defeat to Ñublense in Chillán. The official responded to allegations from the 'Blue' club regarding an uncalled foul during the match, a decision that has sparked fresh controversy over alleged inconsistent officiating within the club.
The controversy erupted in the 32nd minute of the match when Ñublense fullback Jovany Campusano challenged Javier Altamirano. The Universidad de Chile squad demanded a red card, but the referee did not initiate a VAR review. According toLa Tercera, the VAR officials agreed with the on-field decision and did not call for a review of the play.
"There was no VAR review on this play; the tackle was clear, regardless of whether he wanted to keep playing or not," Altamirano stated after the match.
Technical Analysis and Tobar's Contact
Tobar explained that the referee's interpretation was based on the dynamics of the play. According to the official, the Ñublense player was in control of the ball at the moment of contact. "In this situation, it is interpreted that the Ñublense fullback is attempting to clear the ball. There is a difference between a controlled ball and one that is contested. Here, there is full control of the ball, and he executes the clearance with a natural, forceful motion," Tobar toldCírculo Central.
The Commission President detailed that the defender's movement was part of a natural clearing motion. While acknowledging the intensity of the impact, he dismissed any intent of a violent action.
"Altamirano isn't coming head-on and, clearly, if we zoom in on the point of contact, the action looks brutal. However, we must understand that the player is trying to clear the ball and collides with the leg of the La U player who is trying to block it," Tobar added.
However, the controversy continued after the match. According toLa Tercera, on Monday morning, Tobar placed a phone call to the match officials, Cristián Galaz and VAR official Piero Maza, while they were traveling back to Santiago. Despite the contact, the former referee maintained that the interpretation aligns with FIFA's instructions to national federations, and therefore, no sanctions will be applied to the officials.
Nevertheless, the officials' performance could impact future match assignments. According toEl Deportivo, the Referees Commission considered not assigning Maza to the VAR role for that match due to personal circumstances following his exclusion from the World Cup squad. For the time being, it is expected that neither Galaz nor Maza will serve as head referees in the upcoming round, but may instead serve as fourth officials.