Controversy Grows Over Refereeing and VAR Errors in Bolivian Football

Refereeing and VAR decisions have come under renewed fire in Bolivian football after several disputed calls altered the outcome of matches. Critics have questioned decisions made both on the field and in the video review room.

One striking incident occurred on May 10 at Hernando Siles stadium. Igor Soares of Real Potosí remained on the field for three minutes after receiving a second yellow card. The rules required a red card and his dismissal, but the officiating team led by Luis Villarroel did not notice. Officials stopped the match only after players from The Strongest protested. The game ended 0-0, and the on-field referees and VAR officials were suspended.

Blooming also suffered from decisions that came with the assistance of VAR. In a match against The Strongest in Santa Cruz on July 26, defender Julio Vila was sent off after Adrián Estacio fell before entering the penalty area. Referee Gery Vargas awarded a free kick and, after reviewing the monitor, dismissed Vila.

The Bolivian Football Federation later released the match audio and concluded that the decision was wrong. The audio stated: "The defender does not touch the opponent, who goes over the attacker's foot and twists his foot while changing direction. There is no foul and no card." Blooming played with 10 men, and The Strongest drew 1-1. Vargas received an indefinite suspension from the FBF refereeing commission.

A further incident occurred the following week in Montero during Blooming's match against Guabirá. Referee Jordy Alemán went to the VAR monitor to review a handball involving Blooming's Marc Enoumba. After awarding a penalty, he also sent off the player. The sequence became another point of contention for a club that had already been affected by a disputed decision.

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The defender does not touch the opponent, who goes over the attacker's foot and twists his foot while changing direction. There is no foul and no card.