Argentina Shocks Fans by Suspending Top Referee Just Days After He Red-Carded FA President's Son!

Table of Contents

• Referee Suspension
• Controversial Decisions
• Match Outcome
• Further Punishment
• FAQ

A referee has been “suspended” by the Argentinian Football Association after issuing a red card to the son of the organization’s President.

During a fiercely contested match between Barracas Central and Boca Juniors, match official Nicolás Lamolina ignited controversy with several decisions made throughout the game, which took place on Monday.

Argentina ‘suspends top referee’ Nicolás Lamolina after sending off AFA president’s sonCredit: X/ESPNArgentina Lamolina was not assigned to officiate any matches in the subsequent matchweek following his controversial decisionsCredit: AFP

However, the main point of discussion was a red card issued in the 14th minute to Iván Tapia.

Tapia, 26, was judged to have committed a second yellow card offense when he recklessly swung a leg towards an opponent.

This sending off occurred after Lamolina chose not to issue red cards for challenges made by Barracas players Rafael Barrios and Javier Ruiz, which were reviewed by official Silvio Trucco.

Boca Juniors ultimately won the match 3-1 after initially going behind in the 20th minute.

Nevertheless, two days after the incident, it was announced that Lamolina would not officiate any matches in the upcoming matchweek.

Argentine outlet Clarín reported that the referee had been suspended due to the mistakes he made during the game.

Lamolina, 42, was not assigned a match in the next gameweek by Federico Beligoy, the National Director of the AFA.

The AFA has not publicly announced any additional penalties.

Midfielder Tapia is the son of AFA President Chiqui Tapia.

Incidentally, the president previously served as the head of Barracas from 2001 to 2020, with his eldest son Matias succeeding him in that role at the age of 24.