Bolivian Football Body Opens Case Against Referee Jordy Alemán and VAR Officials Over Controversial Match

The Sports Disciplinary Tribunal (TDD) of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) has initiated a formal investigation into referee Jordy Alemán and VAR official Carlos García. This action follows a complaint lodged by the Blooming club concerning the officiating during their recent match against Guabirá, which ended in a draw. The TDD has summoned both Alemán and García to provide testimony on September 2.

Blooming filed the complaint on August 24, represented by their president José Sebastián Peña Parada and general secretary Fabricio Franzhek Lobo. The club questioned the performance of Alemán and García, citing potential violations of articles 63 and 64 of the FBF's Disciplinary Code, which relate to partiality and technical incompetence. The match in question took place on August 23 at the Gilberto Parada stadium in Montero.

Blooming had taken a 1-0 lead through Miguel Villarroel. However, around the 69th minute, a controversial incident occurred. After an initial play was not whistled by referee Alemán, the VAR, operated by Carlos García, recommended an on-field review. Following the review, Alemán reversed his decision, awarding a penalty to Guabirá and issuing a direct red card to Blooming defender Marc Enoumbá. Guabirá converted the penalty to equalize, and Blooming finished the match with one player less.

The investigation will focus on the VAR's intervention and the subsequent change in the referee's decision. Blooming has questioned whether the necessary technical and regulatory conditions were met to activate the VAR review and if the incident fell within the scope of the VAR protocol. The TDD acknowledged that changing a decision after a review is not inherently a disciplinary offense but stressed the need to determine if the VAR's involvement adhered to the established rules and protocols.

Regarding Jordy Alemán, the inquiry aims to ascertain if his final decision was technically sound according to the Laws of the Game, particularly concerning the potential handball, the penalty award, and whether it constituted a clear goal-scoring opportunity justifying a direct red card. For Carlos García, the process will center on establishing the basis for his recommendation to review the play and whether it aligned with VAR protocols.