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Controversial Call: San Lorenzo's Penalty Appeal Denied, Player Sent Off in Late Drama
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Controversial Call: San Lorenzo's Penalty Appeal Denied, Player Sent Off in Late Drama

From La Nación · (18m ago) Spanish Mixed tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A controversial penalty call and subsequent red card for Alexis Cuello in the final minutes of Independiente's 2-1 victory over San Lorenzo overshadowed the match.
  • Cuello fell in the box, leading to penalty appeals from San Lorenzo fans, but referee Pablo Dóvalo ruled it a simulation, resulting in Cuello's expulsion.
  • The decision sparked debate, with conflicting views from both coaches and lingering questions about whether it was a dive or a legitimate penalty.

The intense clash between Independiente and San Lorenzo concluded with a victory for the hosts, but the 2-1 scoreline was largely overshadowed by a contentious incident in the dying moments. As San Lorenzo pressed for an equalizer, Alexis Cuello went down near the penalty area, igniting fervent appeals for a penalty from the home crowd. Referee Pablo Dóvalo, however, saw it differently, deeming it simulation and issuing a second yellow card to Cuello, thus sending him off.

This decision immediately polarized opinions. While Dóvalo's call was firm, the replays offered ambiguous evidence, leaving fans and analysts debating whether Cuello had indeed dived or if a penalty should have been awarded. The situation was further complicated by Cuello's own reaction – a seemingly resigned acceptance of the red card, which some interpreted as an admission of simulation, while others saw it as frustration with the referee's decision.

One sees it from one side, right? But I saw the replay and I think he threw himself before, didn't he? It seemed that Cedrés was standing with his foot extended and he [Cuello] threw himself before, and collided with his foot.

— Gustavo Quinteros, San Lorenzo coachExpressing his view that Alexis Cuello may have simulated a foul.

La Nación notes the contrasting reactions from both managers. San Lorenzo's coach, Gustavo Quinteros, suggested Cuello might have initiated the contact before a potential foul, implying a dive. Independiente's coach, Gustavo Álvarez, while acknowledging he saw a penalty on the field and in replays, refrained from further comment on the referee's performance. The incident leaves a bitter taste for San Lorenzo, raising questions about officiating consistency and the fine line between skillful play and simulation in Argentine football.

No, I don't talk to referees. I saw a penalty on the field, I saw a penalty in the images. Did anyone see something else?

— Gustavo Álvarez, Independiente coachResponding to questions about the controversial penalty incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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